Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

patchy

adjective
 
 
/ˈpætʃ.i/

Definition

only existing or happening in some parts: The varnish is a bit patchy on this table. Southeast England will start with some patchy rain/patchy cloud at first.Rough, irregular and unevenIncomplete sometimes good and sometimes bad: Matthew found the service extremely patchy.Changing frequentlyChangingQuite good, or not very goodSuitable and acceptable patchily
 
 
/-ɪ.li/ adverb
Incomplete
patchiness
 
 
/-nəs/ noun [U]
Incomplete
(Definition of patchy adjective from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

Browse related topics

You are looking at an entry to do with Incomplete, but you might be interested in these topics from the Full and empty topic area:

“patchy” in other dictionaries

Word of the Day

rain on sb's parade

to do something that spoils someone's plans

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More