patchy

1 of 2

adjective

ˈpa-chē 

patchier; patchiest

1

: marked by, consisting of, or diversified with patches

2

: irregular in appearance, makeup, or quality

patchily

ˈpa-chə-lē 

adverb

patchiness

ˈpa-chē-nəs 

noun

patchiness

2 of 2

noun

patch·​i·​ness -chēnə̇s 

plural -es

: the quality or state of being patchy

Examples of patchy in a Sentence

Adjective

The lawn is kind of patchy this year.

Patchy fog made driving difficult.

His knowledge of the language is patchy.

She has only a patchy understanding of his condition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But a week or two later, instead of a lush, green carpet, you’re left staring at patchy, yellowing, or unchanged grass. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2026

Borasov’s patchy hair, already receding into lines of code when the movie first introduces Sutskever at the age of 17. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026

In areas that do receive any partial clearing, could see some patchy areas of fog develop. — Steven Sosna, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

The bet the whole flood control system is making on a super El Niño — to be able to carefully manage and control the flow of water without getting stuck — runs across this patchy, difficult-to-farm ground. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for patchy

• catchy
• scratchy
• apache
• malachi

Kids Definition

patchy

adjective

ˈpach-ē 

patchier; patchiest

: consisting of or marked by patches : resembling patchwork