rocky
/ˈrɒki
/adjective (rockier, rockiest)
1Consisting or full of rock or rocks: a rocky crag above the village hillsides of dry, rocky soil...
- These may be the best teeth for hard or rocky soil and for heavy infestations of quackgrass and other weeds with underground rhizomes.
- The music is monumental and the landscape limited to desert, or rocky mountain.
- It is particularly adapted to rough, rocky land, trees with large, spreading root systems, finer textured soils and for interplanting in previously planted areas.
Synonyms
stony, rock-strewn, pebbly, shingly, rough, bumpy, rugged, hard;
craggy, mountainous
2Tending to rock or shake; unsteady: older types of sash windows are a bit rocky...
- The landing was fairly smooth, a bit rocky at times, but overall comfortable.
Synonyms
unsteady, shaky, unstable, wobbly, tottery, rickety, flimsy;
Irish bockety
3Difficult and full of problems: the marriage seemingly got off to a rocky start the rocky road to success...
- He steers clear of the build/bid approach, knowing that a contentious relationship between the owner and contractor signals a rocky road.
- It may have had a rocky road in its initial theatrical release, but the DVD format allows viewers to explore its unique world.
- Of course, none of this would matter if the film itself didn't bear the marks of its rocky road to a theater near you so prominently.
Synonyms
difficult, up and down, problematic, precarious, unsteady, unstable, uncertain, unsure, unreliable, undependable, built on sand
informal iffy
4Relating to or characteristic of rock music: rocky and acoustic folk bands...
- From the opening song, with its heavy guitar and upbeat rocky riff, you can see that she loves her fanbase and wants to show it a good time.
Derivatives
rockily
rockiness
- Mixing up various Latino styles with reggae, ska and a pinch of rockiness, they aim to get the party started, pure and simple.
- Any potential rockiness ahead may dissuade the Reserve Bank from raising interest rates again, at least before the end of the year.
- This is his first studio recording since Made in Medina and falls somewhere between the rockiness of that album and his earlier, more folkloric masterpiece.