choppy

1 of 2

adjective (1)

chop·​py ˈchä-pē How to pronounce choppy (audio)
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 adverb

choppy

2 of 2

adjective (2)

choppier; choppiest
: changeable, variable
a choppy wind

Examples of choppy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
But in a choppy phone interview with a local television station, Osama Hamad, prime minister of the eastern Libyan government, estimated that 2,000 were dead. Amudalat Ajasa, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2023 The company could still pull off what would be one of the biggest initial public offerings of the year, possibly opening the door to a rebound in US listings at a time when the market for them has been choppy. BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2023 If anything, the audience for the German movie will see clues in choppy, stylized fight scenes as to whether a scene ought to be seen as serious or just insane fun. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023 Beachgoers should look for choppy, rippled water heading offshore. Austindedios, oregonlive, 3 Sep. 2023 Swipe to the fourth slide to see a close-up of the choppy bangs' uneven ends. Gabi Thorne, Allure, 24 Aug. 2023 Overall, a choppy day of trading on Wall Street ended Friday with an uneven finish for the major stock indexes, as mixed economic data stoked worries that the Federal Reserve’s work on bringing inflation to heel isn’t done. al, 12 Aug. 2023 Fox typically relies on its cable operations for ballast, but found choppier operating conditions. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 Aug. 2023 The musician's hair has been chopped to collarbone-length with shorter layers to create texture and movement, including choppy, wavy bangs that brush past her brows. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 3 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'choppy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

chop entry 2

Adjective (2)

chop entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of choppy was in 1605

Dictionary Entries Near choppy

Cite this Entry

“Choppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/choppy. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

choppy

1 of 2 adjective
chop·​py ˈchäp-ē How to pronounce choppy (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on choppy

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!