Patchiest: meaning, definitions and examples

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patchiest

 

[ ˈpæʧɪəst ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

uneven quality

The term 'patchiest' refers to something that is characterized by being varied or inconsistent in different areas. This word is often used to describe something that is not uniform, showing distinct patches of different qualities, characteristics, or conditions. For instance, in the context of weather, the patchiest conditions may range from clear skies in one area to heavy rain in another, resulting in a lack of overall consistency. It can also apply to other contexts, such as a patchy performance where some efforts excel while others fall short.

Synonyms

inconsistent, irregular, uneven

Examples of usage

  • The patchiest of the performances left the audience confused.
  • Her patchiest work was still better than his best effort.
  • They experienced patchiest weather during their vacation.
  • The patchiest areas of the garden needed more attention.

Translations

Translations of the word "patchiest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mais irregular

🇮🇳 सबसे असमान

🇩🇪 unregelmäßigster

🇮🇩 paling tidak merata

🇺🇦 найбільш нерівномірний

🇵🇱 najbardziej nierówny

🇯🇵 最も不均一な

🇫🇷 le plus inégal

🇪🇸 el más irregular

🇹🇷 en düzensiz

🇰🇷 가장 불규칙한

🇸🇦 الأكثر عدم انتظام

🇨🇿 nejnepravidelnější

🇸🇰 najviac nerovný

🇨🇳 最不均匀的

🇸🇮 najbolj neenakomeren

🇮🇸 óstuðlegasti

🇰🇿 ең теңгерімсіз

🇬🇪 ყველაზე არათანაბარი

🇦🇿 ən qeyri-bərabər

🇲🇽 el más irregular

Word origin

The word 'patchy' is derived from 'patch', which has roots in Middle English 'pacche', or Old French 'pache', meaning a piece of material. Originally, 'patch' referred to a small piece used for mending or covering. The suffix '-y' turns the noun into an adjective, indicating a quality of being full of patches or unevenly marked. Over time, 'patchy' evolved to encompass a variety of applications beyond textiles, such as describing unevenness in performance, coverage, and conditions in various settings. The comparative form 'patchiest' emphasizes the most pronounced feature of being uneven or inconsistent, often used to highlight extremes or noticeable differences in quality within a specific context. The evolution showcases linguistic adaptation as language abstracted the term for more metaphorical uses.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #43,756, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.