patchy

[pach-ee] /ˈpætʃ i/

adjective, patchier, patchiest.

characterized by or made up of patches.

occurring in, forming, or like patches.

of inconsistent or irregular quality, texture, etc.; not uniform:

patchy acting; patchy areas of fog.

Origin

1790-1800; patch¹ + -y¹

Related forms

patchily, adverb

patchiness, noun

Examples from the web for patchy

He's a kind of half-breed, and the colour's come off patchy instead of mixing.
Their trunks are patchy white and their green leaves simply become dull and drop in autumn, never showing any trace of fall color.
Next comes a district of blocky, concrete structures with patchy lawns and low palm trees.
Significant snowfall may occur in the winter, and snow removal efforts may be patchy.
Sunny except for patchy low clouds and fog along the coastal slopes in the morning.
Partly cloudy with patchy fog in the morning then becoming sunny.
Bar tenders are attentive and professional, although service can become patchy when the bar is crowded on a big game day.
In developed countries, the reasons are often unclear why stillbirths occur, and surveillance and autopsy data are patchy.
Most of the time they were patchy views of a rather scatterbrained reality.
As a result, they display only patchy spots of excess hair growth.

British Dictionary definitions for patchy

/ˈpætʃɪ/

adjective patchier, patchiest

irregular in quality, occurrence, intensity, etc: a patchy essay

having or forming patches

Derived Forms

patchily, adverb
patchiness, noun

Word Origin and History for patchy

adj.

1798, from patch (n.1) + -y (2).

patchy in Technology