ropy

adjective \ ˈrō-pē \

variants: or less commonly ropey

Updated on: 27 Feb 2018

Definition of ropy

ropier; ropiest

1 a : capable of being drawn into a thread : viscous; also : tending to adhere in stringy masses

b : having a gelatinous or slimy quality from bacterial or fungal contamination

ropy milk

ropy flour

2 a : resembling rope

b : muscular, sinewy

3 slang : poor, lousy

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ropiness

noun

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Examples of ropy in a Sentence

The passengers looked a bit ropy after the bumpy flight.
because the paint was so old, it was ropy and couldn't be smoothly applied to the wood

Recent Examples of ropy from the Web

Honda’s updates to the Fit’s suspension and steering for 2018 only slightly button down its ropy behavior.

— alexander stoklosa, Car and Driver, "2018 Honda Fit," 19 Jan. 2018
Pastas are a forceful presence on the tight menu, including ropy rye-flour bucatini coiling among fat fresh clams and chunks of pancetta.

— mike sula, Chicago Reader, "With Marisol inside the MCA, Jason Hammel paints a new canvas," 13 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ropy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.