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

And some Wall Street analysts are bracing for another rocky year in the business of health care. —Maria Aspan, NPR, 4 Dec. 2025

Modern toboggans are typically crafted from durable plastic or some kind of synthetic material that can withstand impacts against packed snow or the occasional rocky patch. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025

More than two years ago, a robotic spacecraft dropped off a delivery of rocky samples from the surface of Bennu. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025

Greg Bolon, the district engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Kansas City District, acknowledged the agency’s rocky start. —Kansas City Star, 4 Dec. 2025

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