patchier; patchiest
1
: marked by, consisting of, or diversified with patches
2
: irregular in appearance, makeup, or quality
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
Photos have captured the difference in the course over the past year, where once vibrant green fairways have now become brown and patchy.
—
Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Partial and patchy clusters of fall colors can be found in midwestern states such as Missouri, the lower half of Iowa, as well as most of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, the Carolinas, and the northern half of Georgia.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Performances have been patchy, and three successive defeats before this international break have dented the mood at Anfield.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Many countries regulate chemicals in plastics, but rules are often patchy and limited to certain products.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patchy
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Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Partial and patchy clusters of fall colors can be found in midwestern states such as Missouri, the lower half of Iowa, as well as most of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, the Carolinas, and the northern half of Georgia.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Performances have been patchy, and three successive defeats before this international break have dented the mood at Anfield.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Many countries regulate chemicals in plastics, but rules are often patchy and limited to certain products.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patchy
Cite this Entry
“Patchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patchy. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
patchy
adjective
patchier; patchiest
: consisting of or marked by patches : resembling patchwork
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