Word
rocky
Phoneticsrocky
US/ˈɹɑki/
UK/ɹˈɒki/
Definitions
01full of rocks
B1 · Intermediate
adj. covered with or made of many rocks and stones.
adj. abounding in or consisting of rocks; describing terrain that is difficult to traverse due to stones.
“The path was very rocky, so we had to walk carefully to avoid falling.”
“The hikers struggled to maintain their pace across the rocky terrain of the ridge, where loose shale made every step unpredictable.”
02difficult or unstable
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
adj. having many problems or likely to fail.
adj. marked by difficulties, instability, or uncertainty; frequently used to describe relationships or business ventures.
“The new company had a rocky start, but things are much better now.”
“After a rocky first year marked by constant disagreements, the partners finally established a workflow that allowed the project to move forward.”
03unsteady or dizzy
C1 · Advanced Informal
adj. feeling weak, sick, or like you might fall over.
adj. physically unsteady or weak, often as a result of illness, exhaustion, or a sudden shock.
“I felt a bit rocky after the long boat trip, so I sat down for a while.”
“He still felt somewhat rocky on his feet after the surgery, requiring the assistance of a nurse to walk down the hallway.”
Usage
When used figuratively to mean 'difficult', it is a gradable adjective and can be used with intensifiers like 'very' or 'extremely'.
Etymology
Diminutives with -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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