# patchy

/ˈpætʃi/ (US) · /pˈætʃi/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/patchy
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

having areas of different qualities or colors that do not mix well. You use this to describe things like weather, skin, or a surface that is not smooth or even.

For teachers: consisting of uneven or inconsistent areas; lacking uniformity or continuity. Often describes physical surfaces, weather conditions, or data sets.

## Examples

- The weather is patchy today with some clouds and some sun.
- The old carpet has a patchy appearance because the dye faded in some spots but not others.
- The satellite signal was patchy throughout the flight, causing intermittent disruptions to the onboard internet connection as the aircraft moved through different atmospheric layers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.