Patchy: meaning, definitions and examples
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patchy
[ ˈpætʃi ]
weather condition
Irregular or inconsistent in appearance, characterized by uneven distribution or coverage.
Synonyms
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.
information or knowledge
Consisting of scattered or disconnected parts, not continuous or complete.
Synonyms
disjointed, fragmented, incomplete
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.
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 origin
The word 'patchy' originates from the Middle English word 'pacche', which means 'a piece of cloth or other material used to mend or strengthen a weak or damaged part'. Over time, the meaning of 'patchy' evolved to describe things that are irregular or inconsistent in appearance. The usage of 'patchy' in modern English reflects its historical connection to patching things together in a haphazard manner.
See also: patch, patched, patcher, patches, patching, patchwork.