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

The curious rocky coast of this bay continues haunting me in the most visceral ways. —Leanna Renee Hieber, Big Think, 2 Oct. 2025

Filosa, a native Italian with more than two decades of experience in the Stellantis family of automakers, replaced former Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares, whose rocky tenure fractured relationships with the UAW and dealers alike. —Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025

As dusk fell, small frogs were found near the mouths of caves as water flowed from their rocky openings, researchers said. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025

Tim Herrin, who suffered through a rocky regular season that included a couple of trips to Columbus, simply morphs into his (teammate-coined) alter ego, Jim Herrin. —Zack Meisel, New York Times, 2 Oct. 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