patchier; patchiest
1
: marked by, consisting of, or diversified with patches
2
: irregular in appearance, makeup, or quality
patchily adverb
patchiness noun

Examples of patchy in a Sentence

The lawn is kind of patchy this year. Patchy fog made driving difficult. His knowledge of the language is patchy. She has only a patchy understanding of his condition.
Recent Examples on the Web But concerns around the surface’s viability escalated after a July 12 rugby match between the United States and Scotland left it visibly rough and patchy for two high-profile games: the send-off match for the U.S. women’s Olympic soccer team July 16 and D.C. Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 27 July 2024 According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, patchy, dense fog can be expected through sunrise on Friday before Combs hits the stage later that night. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 Aug. 2024 In separate interviews, six orofacial pain specialists with clinics around the country said insurance coverage for this specialty care is patchy, poor, or nonexistent. Lucy Maher, Fortune Well, 17 July 2024 That has left an unsafe, patchy, and deplorable mess for those fleeing… Borderline Behavior Earlier this year, Swiss voted to amend their constitution so that the government could regulate immigration from neighboring European countries. Lukas Kaelin, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for patchy 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'patchy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of patchy was in 1583

Dictionary Entries Near patchy

Cite this Entry

“Patchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patchy. Accessed 20 Aug. 2024.

Kids Definition

patchy

adjective
patchier; patchiest
: consisting of or marked by patches : resembling patchwork
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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