rocky

¹

[ rok-ee ]

adjective

, rock·i·er, rock·i·est.

1. full of or abounding in rocks.
2. consisting of rock.
3. rocklike:

   wood with a rocky hardness.

4. firm; steadfast:

   rocky endurance.

5. unfeeling; without sympathy or emotion:

   my rocky heart.

rocky

²

[ rok-ee ]

adjective

, rock·i·er, rock·i·est.

1. inclined or likely to rock; tottering; shaky; unsteady.
2. difficult or uncertain; full of hazards or obstacles:

   a business with a rocky future.

3. physically unsteady or weak, as from sickness.

rocky

¹

/ ˈrɒkɪ /

adjective

1. weak, shaky, or unstable
2. informal.
   (of a person) dizzy; sickly; nauseated

rocky

²

/ ˈrɒkɪ /

adjective

1. consisting of or abounding in rocks

   a rocky shore

2. hard or unyielding

   rocky determination

3. hard like rock

   rocky muscles

Derived Forms

• ˈrockily, adverb
• ˈrockiness, noun
• ˈrockiness, noun
• ˈrockily, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of rocky¹

First recorded in 1400–50; rock ¹ + -y ¹( def )

Origin of rocky²

First recorded in 1730–40; rock ² + -y ¹

Example Sentences

"Though we got off to a rocky start, as I came to know and feel him I saw his enormous potential and sensitivity as an artist and as a human being," Quincy Jones wrote.

From BBC

US-China relations were often rocky during Trump's first term, amidst trade disputes and the Covid pandemic.

From BBC

I once met a red-tailed hawk while doing yoga atop a rocky peak during my walk.

From Los Angeles Times

“The Daily Show’s” election night special started off rocky on Tuesday, as Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman canceled an appearance just seconds before it was slated to begin.

From Salon

Outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art, by the iconic steps Sylvester Stallone ran as he trained in the “Rocky” movie franchise, the vice president implored a raucous crowd to make a plan to vote.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• shaky
• tricky
• unstable
• unsteady