ropy

[roh-pee] /ˈroʊ pi/
adjective, ropier, ropiest.
1.
resembling a rope or ropes:
ropy muscles.
2.
forming viscid or glutinous threads, as a liquid.
Origin
1470-80; rope + -y1
Related forms
ropily, adverb
ropiness, noun
Examples from the web for ropy
  • Cut open the body and the workings are fairly suggestive: a big pulsing heart, long ropy veins, a sacklike stomach full of food.
  • Yet the country's official statistics are notoriously ropy.
  • But if you look at the graph, things have looked pretty ropy since.
  • Hints of environmental backsliding have appeared in the government's own ropy data.
  • The gangs may only have been kept out by the country's ropy ports.
  • But the industry's record when it comes to making deals work is ropy.
  • ropy veins stand out on her arms and hands through her translucent skin.
  • Pahoehoe has a smooth, billowy, ropy surface and has at times been likened to the surface texture of a pan of chocolate brownies.
  • New crust forms on the subsiding molten lava with ropy, lineated, or jumbled morphologies.
  • Others are relatively smooth and have a ropy glazed surface.
British Dictionary definitions for ropy

ropey

/ˈrəʊpɪ/
adjective ropier, ropiest
1.
(Brit, informal)
  1. inferior or inadequate
  2. slightly unwell; below par
2.
(of a viscous or sticky substance) forming strands or filaments
3.
resembling a rope: ropey muscles
Derived Forms
ropily, adverb
ropiness, noun
Word Origin and History for ropy
adj.

late 15c., from rope (n.) + -y (2). Related: Ropiness.

Slang definitions & phrases for ropy

ropy

adjective

Of low quality; bad; inferior; unsatisfactory (1942+)