rocky

1 of 2

adjective (1)

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
2
: physically upset or mentally confused (as from drinking excessively)
3
: marked by obstacles or problems : difficult, rough
a financially rocky yearMichael Murray

Examples of rocky in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Last quarter, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said travel demand was rebounding after a rocky start to 2025. Adrian Van Hauwermeiren, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025 Most of their bulk could be in the form of rock, potentially giving them more rocky material than even Jupiter or Saturn, even though Neptune and Uranus are much smaller than those two gas giants. Paul Sutter, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2025 Virginia Distillery is hardly the only American business caught in the middle of the rocky US-Canada relationship. Matt Egan, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025 Oddly enough, the Chiefs are off to a rocky start to the 2025 season. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rocky

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rocky was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rocky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rocky. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

rocky

1 of 2 adjective
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

More from Merriam-Webster on rocky

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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