patchy

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈpæt͡ʃi/ See IPA manual

Freq #48595

Meanings

1

adj
Good in some parts but not in others; uneven in quality

His knowledge of history is rather patchy.
2

adj
Happening or appearing in separate areas rather than everywhere; not continuous

The forecast warns of patchy fog in the morning.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 adj · happening or appearing in... spasmodic

More discontinuousstop-start

Word family

Forms patchierpatchiest

Derived forms patchilypatchiness

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

patchy fog
low cloud occurring in separate areas with clearer spaces between them

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From patch + -y.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

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