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
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.
The Nest Wifi Pro makes slow, patchy internet feel like a thing of the past. PC Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025 Behind the patchy spiral arms and glowing clouds of gas lie star-forming areas and a very active galactic core. Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025 That’s doubly true where literacy is uneven, infrastructure is patchy, and distribution costs punish needless bells and whistles. Stephen Wunker, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 For years, many stars served as their own stylist or whipped up their own clothes, with predictably patchy results. Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for patchy

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of patchy was in 1583

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Patchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patchy. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

patchy

adjective
patchier; patchiest
: consisting of or marked by patches : resembling patchwork

More from Merriam-Webster on patchy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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