patchy

[pach-ee]

adjective

patchier, patchiest 

1. characterized by or made up of patches. patch.

2. occurring in, forming, or like patches. patch.

3. of inconsistent or irregular quality, texture, etc.; not uniform.

   patchy acting; patchy areas of fog.

patchy

/ ˈpætʃɪ /

adjective

1. irregular in quality, occurrence, intensity, etc

   a patchy essay

2. having or forming patches

Other Word Forms

• patchily adverb
• patchiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of patchy¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; patch ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Their rebound offset a significant decline in Chile, where production suffered from heatwaves, patchy rainfall and water shortages.

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Data is patchy from certain regions, but in recent years, Japan has seen among the highest number of fatal attacks globally.

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Saturday night will be a little cooler with some eastern parts of both Scotland and England falling to 5 or 6C with patchy fog.

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Throughout the turmoil at the other end, Khawaja kept his place despite patchy form.

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Newcastle's patchy form - particularly away from home - has confined Eddie Howe's side to the bottom half of the table.

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Related Words

• erratic 
• fitful 
• irregular 
• sketchy 
• uneven