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

Recreational swimming is not permitted, yet anglers fishing for tilapia, largemouth bass and carp are a common sight along the rocky sides of the soft-bottom areas. — Mack Baysinger follow, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026

Gracie disappeared from Cedar Hollow Ranch in Real County, about two hours outside of San Antonio, June 18 after wandering onto a rocky hillside where the ranch’s other giraffes don’t typically go, according to ranch manager Vick Jones. — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2026

First Up OpenAI is leaning toward delaying its IPO from later this year to next year, The New York Times reported, after SpaceX’s rocky debut and a tech market slump. — Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Casad and his wife, Cate Havstad-Casad, had turned one rocky corner into a compost pile and parking area for their equipment. — Emily Cureton Cook, ProPublica, 26 June 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