patchy

[ pach-ee ]
See synonyms for patchy on Thesaurus.com
adjective,patch·i·er, patch·i·est.
  1. characterized by or made up of patches.

  2. occurring in, forming, or like patches.

  1. of inconsistent or irregular quality, texture, etc.; not uniform: patchy acting; patchy areas of fog.

Origin of patchy

1
First recorded in 1790–1800; patch1 + -y1

Other words from patchy

  • patch·i·ly, adverb
  • patch·i·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for patchy

patchy

/ (ˈpætʃɪ) /


adjectivepatchier or patchiest
  1. irregular in quality, occurrence, intensity, etc: a patchy essay

  2. having or forming patches

Derived forms of patchy

  • patchily, adverb
  • patchiness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012