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.
His memoir is a patchy affair, to be honest, which omits entire swaths of his achievement, yet its wayward momentum exerts a certain charm, as if Hopkins were only just in control of his reminiscences. Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025 Jordan says Whovians believe Gatwa’s seasons have been patchy. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025 Localized patchy frost is expected where temperatures drop to the forecast range of 34 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025 Contrast that with the majority, where AI adoption is patchy at best—confined to isolated functions and rarely scaled enterprise-wide. Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 27 Oct. 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 5 Nov. 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
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