chop·py
ˈchä-pē 
choppier; choppiest
1
: being roughened : chapped
2
: rough with small waves
3
a
: interrupted by ups and downs
choppy terrain
a choppy career
b
: jerky
short choppy strides
c
: disconnected
choppy writing
Examples of choppy in a Sentence
Adjective (1)
a sharp, choppy wind coming off the lake
the old cable car provides a picturesque but choppy ride to the mountain's peak
the plot was intriguing, but the author's style was so choppy that I finally gave up in frustration
Recent Examples on the Web
Francesca Krempa, Outside, 9 Jan. 2026
Similar to a butterfly cut, a layered shag will give you choppy, textured layers all over your hair, plus either fringe bangs (as seen here on Michelle Obama) or curtain bangs.
—Catharine Malzahn, InStyle, 8 Jan. 2026
The star of her beauty look is definitely her asymmetrical, choppy bangs.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2026
Multiple steady hands were on the tiller, and fans hoped for smoother sailing through choppy waters — except modern-day Manchester United appears to be without a tiller, and Amorim even referred to himself as a manager in his first press conference.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for choppy
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Adjective
Between wading or boating into choppy surf, baking in the hot sun, and getting doused in salty spray, the elements are brutal on the human body and the gear meant to withstand them.
—Francesca Krempa, Outside, 9 Jan. 2026
Similar to a butterfly cut, a layered shag will give you choppy, textured layers all over your hair, plus either fringe bangs (as seen here on Michelle Obama) or curtain bangs.
—Catharine Malzahn, InStyle, 8 Jan. 2026
The star of her beauty look is definitely her asymmetrical, choppy bangs.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2026
Multiple steady hands were on the tiller, and fans hoped for smoother sailing through choppy waters — except modern-day Manchester United appears to be without a tiller, and Amorim even referred to himself as a manager in his first press conference.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for choppy
Cite this Entry
“Choppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/choppy. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
choppy
1 of 2 adjective
chop·py
ˈchäp-ē
choppier; choppiest
: changeable sense 1, variable
choppy wind
choppy
2 of 2 adjective
choppier; choppiest
1
: rough with small waves
the lake was choppy
2
: marked by sudden stops and starts : not connected smoothly
short choppy sentences
choppiness
noun
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