patchy

adjective

ˈpa-chē 

patchier; patchiest

1

: marked by, consisting of, or diversified with patches

2

: irregular in appearance, makeup, or quality

patchily

ˈpa-chə-lē 

adverb

patchiness

ˈpa-chē-nəs 

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

Eudora’s outline is visibly backlit by a low late afternoon sun as her shadow is cast across the patchy grass of a pathway that leads to a ruin of Corinthian columns. — Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2026

Ahead of it, southerly winds will bring a brief warm-up, along with a low potential for patchy fog Thursday morning. — Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Wednesday looks even warmer, with patchy morning fog giving way to mostly sunny skies and highs reaching about 75 degrees. — The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2026

These outplacements are often enormously expensive, and state relief is patchy, meaning districts end up eating the cost themselves. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for patchy

• catchy
• scratchy
• apache
• malachi

Kids Definition

patchy

adjective

ˈpach-ē 

patchier; patchiest

: consisting of or marked by patches : resembling patchwork