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
According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Louisville, we're expected to have patchy fog for the morning commute before switching to mostly sunny skies for the majority of the day.
—
Keisha Rowe, The Courier-Journal, 16 May 2024
Angela explains that there has been a human study, albeit only on 28 people, each one of whom had a scalp condition called alopecia areata (an autoimmune disorder which results in patchy hair loss).
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 4 Mar. 2024
Seaborne delivery of weapons of mass destruction to the United States or Europe is a real possibility and is most likely to come from a vessel passing through waters where maritime governance is patchy, such as West Africa.
—Michael Lyon Baker, Foreign Affairs, 4 Oct. 2010
And bring a satellite phone, as all connectivity to the outside world here can be patchy.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for patchy 
Keisha Rowe, The Courier-Journal, 16 May 2024
Angela explains that there has been a human study, albeit only on 28 people, each one of whom had a scalp condition called alopecia areata (an autoimmune disorder which results in patchy hair loss).
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 4 Mar. 2024
Seaborne delivery of weapons of mass destruction to the United States or Europe is a real possibility and is most likely to come from a vessel passing through waters where maritime governance is patchy, such as West Africa.
—Michael Lyon Baker, Foreign Affairs, 4 Oct. 2010
And bring a satellite phone, as all connectivity to the outside world here can be patchy.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for patchy
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'patchy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near patchy
Cite this Entry
“Patchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patchy. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
patchy
adjective
patchier; patchiest
: consisting of or marked by patches : resembling patchwork
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