rocky

1 of 2

adjective (1)

rockier; rockiest
1
: abounding in or consisting of rocks
2
: difficult to impress or affect : insensitive
3
: firmly held : steadfast

rocky

2 of 2

adjective (2)

rockier; rockiest
1
2
: physically upset or mentally confused (as from drinking excessively)
3
: marked by obstacles or problems : difficult, rough
a financially rocky yearMichael Murray

Examples of rocky in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
And given the rocky nature of Joshua Tree, a 1-mile loop through a field of boulders can offer a day’s worth of scrambling potential. Graham Averill, Outside Online, 27 Dec. 2024 It’s got different variations, going from the really rocky stuff to the nice acoustic sound to the very psychedelic sound. Liza Lentini, SPIN, 27 Dec. 2024 Comets are made of ice, dust and rocky material, while a dead comet is one that has lost most of its ice, leaving just the rocky asteroid-like nucleus. David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024 These pitchers capture rainfall and a variety of prey animals, both of which sustain and nourish the plant in a rocky environment where there is no running water. Grrlscientist, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rocky 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

Middle English rokky, from rokke rock

Adjective (2)

rock entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rocky was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near rocky

Cite this Entry

“Rocky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rocky. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

rocky

1 of 2 adjective
rockier; rockiest
: full of or consisting of rocks
rockiness noun

rocky

2 of 2 adjective
rockier; rockiest
1
: weak and confused and unsteady on one's feet
2
: marked by obstacles or problems : difficult
a rocky start
rockiness
-ē-nəs
noun

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