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.
Without labouring the point, ticket sales at the Club World Cup have been patchy. Phil Hay, New York Times, 9 July 2025 The rain is expected to be patchy in the morning for the Indy metro area, according to NWS, meaning parade attendees might get a reprieve from the weather. John Tufts, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 People with alopecia areata usually experience patchy hair loss. Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 30 Apr. 2025 But in the first few months of his presidency, the U.S. economy has had a patchy performance. Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 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 21 Jul. 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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