choppy

1 of 2

adjective (1)

chop·​py ˈchä-pē How to pronounce choppy (audio)
choppier; choppiest
Synonyms of choppynext
1
: being roughened : chapped
2
: rough with small waves
3
a
: interrupted by ups and downs
choppy terrain
a choppy career
b
: jerky
short choppy strides
c
: disconnected
choppy writing
choppily adverb

choppy

2 of 2

adjective (2)

choppier; choppiest
: changeable, variable
a choppy wind

Examples of choppy in a Sentence

Adjective (1) a sharp, choppy wind coming off the lake the old cable car provides a picturesque but choppy ride to the mountain's peak the plot was intriguing, but the author's style was so choppy that I finally gave up in frustration
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
Small craft should exercise caution over the Atlantic waters and Keys waters due to choppy conditions on the bays and nearshore. Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 18 May 2026 The stock carved out a long, choppy base from the mid-$130s up through resistance in the $180 to $190 range, retesting that ceiling multiple times before the buyers finally won the argument. Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 18 May 2026 And the worse the economy is, the choppier the political waters become. Daniel Depetris, Twin Cities, 15 May 2026 This microburst pattern often repeats dialogue in slightly shifting variations, the story proceeding along in a choppy cadence. Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for choppy

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

chop entry 2

Adjective (2)

chop entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of choppy was circa 1616

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Choppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/choppy. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

choppy

1 of 2 adjective
chop·​py ˈchäp-ē How to pronounce choppy (audio)
choppier; choppiest
: changeable sense 1, variable
choppy wind

choppy

2 of 2 adjective
choppier; choppiest
1
: rough with small waves
the lake was choppy
2
: marked by sudden stops and starts : not connected smoothly
short choppy sentences
choppiness noun

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