adjective
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irregular in quality, occurrence, intensity, etc
a patchy essay
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having or forming patches
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of patchy
Explanation
If you describe something as patchy, you mean it's uneven or irregular, like your patchy front lawn with brown spots scattered among the green tufts of grass. Patchy things can appear spotty or mottled in color, or feel rough and bumpy to the touch. If your dog gets fleas and scratches too much, his fur might be patchy. And, if the sky is speckled with clouds, it also looks patchy. You can also call something that's inconsistent patchy: "Your math homework is patchy — some days you do it all, and others you only answer one or two questions."
Vocabulary lists containing patchy
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It added that Nintendo's statements on the problem were "patchy", and as a result many customers simply bought new controllers, instead of pursuing a free fix or replacement via customer service.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
Well, the evidence for that is patchy too.
From BBC • May 9, 2026
The carmaker is struggling with Chinese competition, US tariffs and patchy demand for electric vehicles, and already has plans to axe 50,000 jobs across all its brands in Germany by 2030.
From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026
The progressive art dealer Jos Hessel and his wife entertain guests in a rather crowded, patchy image.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026
I plunge toward the street, which is cracked and patchy and follows perfectly the curve of the marsh.
From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
