choppy

[ chop-ee ]

adjective

, chop·pi·er, chop·pi·est.

1. (of the sea, a lake, etc.) forming short, irregular, broken waves.
2. (of the wind) shifting or changing suddenly or irregularly; variable.
3. uneven in style or quality or characterized by poorly related parts:

   The book was a choppy first novel.

choppy

/ ˈtʃɒpɪ /

adjective

1. (of the sea, weather, etc) fairly rough

Derived Forms

• ˈchoppily, adverb
• ˈchoppiness, noun

Other Words From

• choppi·ly adverb
• choppi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of choppy¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; chop ² + -y ¹

Example Sentences

It takes about 30 minutes if the weather allows it - the conditions are often choppy - and there tend to be whales nearby.

From BBC

The Buehler who gave up three runs and three hits, walked one batter and hit another while throwing 42 pitches in the first two choppy innings?

From Los Angeles Times

Attention immediately turned to Gavin Robinson, then deputy leader, to step forward and navigate the party through choppy waters.

From BBC

This was a “game-changer,” according to Dr Lewis, as remote villages in Africa previously mostly had access to choppy and unreliable analogue TV.

From BBC

One paddleboarder was near the shoreline but the other was swept out to sea in increasingly choppy waters.

From BBC

Related Words

• rough
• uneven