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ropey

British  
/ ˈrəʊpɪ /

adjective

  1. informal

    1. inferior or inadequate

    2. slightly unwell; below par

  2. (of a viscous or sticky substance) forming strands or filaments

  3. resembling a rope

    ropey muscles

"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

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Example Sentences

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A review from the technology outlet Tech Advisor found the phone to be “based heavily” on the HTC U24 and called it “a rather ropey two-year-old phone.”

From Salon ● May 21, 2026

In times when their games got a little bit ropey they stepped up, whether it be with a big tackle or calming the play down and winning fouls.

From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2024

“He was able to extricate John’s voice from a ropey little bit of cassette, where it had John’s voice and a piano,” McCartney said in this week’s interview.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 13, 2023

Jackson was “able to extricate John’s voice from a ropey little bit of cassette and a piano,” McCartney told BBC radio.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 13, 2023

They were broader than the rest of us, with wide shoulders and heavy hands that hung from ropey arms.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

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