patchier; patchiest
1
: marked by, consisting of, or diversified with patches
2
: irregular in appearance, makeup, or quality
patchily adverb
patchiness noun

Examples of patchy in a Sentence

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But since then his form and fitness have been patchy again. Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 14 May 2025 Despite some virtue signalling in the form of flashy green pledges, genuine action has been slow, dubious and patchy. Marianne Lehnis, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 More patchy showers will fall Thursday, prompting Gov. Gavin Newsom to warn that the downpour could increase the chance of debris flow in the areas of the Eaton and Palisades fires in Los Angeles that were scorched in January. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2025 Clumps of hair were missing, and their long locks had been transformed into patchy, uneven mullets. Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for patchy

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of patchy was in 1583

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Patchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patchy. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

patchy

adjective
patchier; patchiest
: consisting of or marked by patches : resembling patchwork

More from Merriam-Webster on patchy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!