Patchy: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'patchy' when describing something that has small parts that are different from the other parts, usually in a way that is incomplete or inconsistent.

• The lawn was green but patchy in many areas.
• Her knowledge of the subject is quite patchy.

Utilize 'spotty' to describe something that is unevenly distributed or lacking consistency, quality, or completeness.

• Her attendance in school has been spotty this year.
• The Wi-Fi connection is spotty in this area.

Choose 'uneven' for surfaces or lines that are not level or smooth, or when quality or performance is inconsistent.

• The floor is quite uneven in this old house.
• The team's performance has been uneven this season.

Apply 'irregular' when referring to objects or patterns that do not follow a standard or expected shape, form, or schedule.

• The patient’s heartbeat was irregular.
• He has an irregular work schedule.

Repeated entry - refer to the first definition of 'patchy'.

Used when something has been broken into smaller, separate parts, often referring to physical objects, thoughts, or organizational structures.

• The fragmented glass was scattered all over the floor.
• The company’s fragmented management led to its downfall.

Used when something is not finished or lacks some parts which should be there.

• The homework is incomplete; you missed the last section.
• The puzzle is incomplete and missing a few pieces.

Used to describe something that is not connected in a smooth or logical way, often happening with speech, writing, or sequences.

• Her speech was disjointed and hard to follow.
• The movie had a disjointed plot that made it confusing.