choppy

1 of 2

adjective (1)

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

choppily

ˈchä-pə-lē 

adverb

choppy

2 of 2

adjective (2)

choppier; choppiest

: changeable, variable

a choppy wind

Synonyms of choppy

Adjective (1)

• sporadic
• occasional
• intermittent
• sudden
• erratic

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

Adjective

Schwab investors continued to buy in July despite a choppy market backdrop, lifting the Schwab Trading Activity Index, known as STAX, for a third straight month and bringing it to its highest level since January 2022. — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026

The choppy waters of Rosario Strait were only the latest obstacle in the tribe's effort to bring sunflower stars back to traditional Samish territory. — John Ryan, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026

Ohtani drove in the Dodgers' only run with a triple in the third inning, sending a choppy ground ball bouncing over first baseman Gary Sánchez into the right-field corner, but Murphy refused to call it a mistake by Misiorowski. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Instead of a choppy, headbanger shag, try a lighter, cozier version. — Loren Savini, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

chop entry 2

Adjective (2)

chop entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1865, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for choppy

• copy
• floppy
• poppy
• sloppy
• atopy
• photocopy

Kids 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