adj

rocky

RO-kee

adj

Covered with or made up of rocks.

"The trail became steep and rocky near the summit."

Full of difficulties or instability; troubled.

"Their marriage went through a rocky patch last year."

"The company had a rocky start before turning a profit."

Unsteady or shaky, especially after illness or shock.

"He still felt a bit rocky after the flu."

How to Use Rocky

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCovered in rocks, or (figuratively) unstable, troubled, or shaky.

Common pairings

rocky road rocky relationship a rocky start

Word Forms

rockier comparative, more rocky comparative, rockier comparative, more rocky comparative, rockier comparative, more rocky comparative, rockiest superlative, most rocky superlative, rockiest superlative, most rocky superlative, rockiest superlative, most rocky superlative

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The trail became steep and _____ near the summit.

Etymology

From Middle English rokki, built on "rock" plus the adjective suffix "-y."

Rhymes for rocky

cocky stocky Jabberwocky

See all rhymes for rocky →