rocky

1 of 2

adjective (1)

ˈrä-kē How to pronounce rocky (audio)
rockier; rockiest
Synonyms of rockynext
1
: abounding in or consisting of rocks
2
: difficult to impress or affect : insensitive
3
: firmly held : steadfast

rocky

2 of 2

adjective (2)

rockier; rockiest
1
: unstable, wobbly
2
: physically upset or mentally confused (as from drinking excessively)
3
: marked by obstacles or problems : difficult, rough
… a financially rocky year …—Michael Murray

Examples of rocky in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The rocky relationship between Josh Brolin’s Mitt Gardiner and Austin Abrams’ Jay Gardiner is at the heart of Brian Duffield’s Whalefall, but Brolin is also quite literally the heartbeat of the emotional survival tale. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026 There is forsythia growing on a rocky hill at our easternmost bit of land, and more forsythia down the hill some 300 yards west. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 Those layers could be assembled from rocky material, buried ice, or combinations of the two. — Leonard David, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Valentine was found unresponsive near the rocky coastline at the south end of Sand Dollar Beach, according to the news release. — Joan Lynch, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rocky

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

Middle English rokky, from rokke rock

Adjective (2)

rock entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rocky was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing rocky

Rhymes for rocky

See All Rhymes for rocky

Browse Nearby Words

rock wren
rocky
Rocky Ford
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rocky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rocky. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rocky

1 of 2 adjective
ˈräk-ē How to pronounce rocky (audio)
rockier; rockiest
: full of or consisting of rocks
rockiness noun

rocky

2 of 2 adjective
rockier; rockiest
1
: weak and confused and unsteady on one's feet
2
: marked by obstacles or problems : difficult
a rocky start
rockiness
-ē-nəs
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on rocky

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rocky

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