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Patchy: meaning, definitions and examples

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patchy

 

[ˈpætʃi ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

weather condition

Irregular or inconsistent in appearance, characterized by uneven distribution or coverage.

Synonyms

irregular, spotty, uneven.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
patchy

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.
spotty

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.
uneven

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.
irregular

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.

Examples of usage

  • The sky was patchy with clouds, allowing the sun to peek through.
  • She had a patchy tan from spending time outside inconsistently.
Context #2 | Adjective

information or knowledge

Consisting of scattered or disconnected parts, not continuous or complete.

Synonyms

disjointed, fragmented, incomplete.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
patchy

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

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.
incomplete

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.
disjointed

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.

Examples of usage

  • His understanding of the subject was patchy, as he had only studied certain parts of it.
  • The data we collected was patchy and incomplete, making it difficult to draw conclusions.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from 'patch,' which refers to a small piece of something, combined with the suffix '-y' indicating a condition.
  • It first appeared in the English language in the 17th century, when it referred to irregular or incomplete areas.

Literature

  • In literature, authors often use 'patchy' to describe characters or settings that are inconsistent, highlighting imperfections in their development.
  • The term is frequently used in reviews of books or films to indicate uneven quality in the narrative or production.

Science

  • In environmental science, 'patchy' can describe ecosystems that are not uniformly distributed, like forests with varying tree density and biodiversity.
  • In meteorology, weather patterns might be described as patchy when some areas experience rain while others remain dry.

Pop Culture

  • Movies and TV shows sometimes have 'patchy' storytelling, where certain plot points are developed well while others seem rushed or underdeveloped.
  • The term is often used in reviews of television shows that have inconsistent quality from episode to episode.

Psychology

  • In psychology, 'patchy' can refer to inconsistent behaviors in individuals, where someone may show different traits in various situations.
  • The concept of patchy memory describes instances where recollection is incomplete or fragmented, impacting a person's ability to recall events.

Translations

Translations of the word "patchy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irregular

🇮🇳 अनियमित

🇩🇪 fleckig

🇮🇩 bercak

🇺🇦 плямистий

🇵🇱 plamisty

🇯🇵 まだら

🇫🇷 irrégulier

🇪🇸 irregular

🇹🇷 düzensiz

🇰🇷 얼룩덜룩한

🇸🇦 غير منتظم

🇨🇿 nepravidelný

🇸🇰 nepravidelný

🇨🇳 不规则的

🇸🇮 nepravilno

🇮🇸 óreglulegur

🇰🇿 қалыпсыз

🇬🇪 არარეგულარული

🇦🇿 nizamsız

🇲🇽 irregular

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,299, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.