rocky

1 of 2

adjective (1)

ˈrä-kē 

rockier; rockiest

1

: abounding in or consisting of rocks

2

: difficult to impress or affect : insensitive

3

: firmly held : steadfast

rocky

2 of 2

adjective (2)

rockier; rockiest

1

: unstable, wobbly

2

: physically upset or mentally confused (as from drinking excessively)

3

: marked by obstacles or problems : difficult, rough

… a financially rocky year …

—Michael Murray

Examples of rocky in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

It's set on a rocky island in County Tipperary's River Suir, and its design was state-of-the-art at the time. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2026

Tesla’s business is continuing through a rocky period, with declining revenue, rising capital costs and a dearth of new products. —David Ingram, NBC news, 20 May 2026

After a rocky start, Hart won his final seven decisions of the regular season, including six in April to help Vegas win the Pacific Division. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 20 May 2026

Moncler Grenoble headed to Arizona, selecting the sandy landscape filled with cacti and rocky outcrops, as the background for its 2026 spring campaign. —Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 20 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

Middle English rokky, from rokke rock

Adjective (2)

rock entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rocky

• rocky road

Rhymes for rocky

• blocky
• chalky
• cocky
• gawky
• hockey
• jockey
• khaki
• machi
• maki
• stocky
• talkie
• walkie

Kids Definition

rocky

1 of 2 adjective

ˈräk-ē 

rockier; rockiest

: full of or consisting of rocks

rockiness noun

rocky

2 of 2 adjective

rockier; rockiest

1

: weak and confused and unsteady on one's feet

2

: marked by obstacles or problems : difficult

a rocky start

rockiness

-ē-nəs

noun