choppy

1 of 2

adjective (1)

chop·​py ˈchä-pē How to pronounce choppy (audio)
choppier; choppiest
1
: being roughened : chapped
2
: rough with small waves
3
a
: interrupted by ups and downs
choppy terrain
a choppy career
b
: jerky
short choppy strides
c
: disconnected
choppy writing
choppily adverb

choppy

2 of 2

adjective (2)

choppier; choppiest
: changeable, variable
a choppy wind

Examples of choppy in a Sentence

Adjective (1) a sharp, choppy wind coming off the lake the old cable car provides a picturesque but choppy ride to the mountain's peak the plot was intriguing, but the author's style was so choppy that I finally gave up in frustration
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
Frank Morris and brothers Clarence and John Anglin, all in their 30s, shimmied with a homemade raft through hidden holes in their cell walls, climbed through a ventilation duct onto the roof and shoved off from the island fortress into the freezing, choppy waters of San Francisco Bay. Chris Lau, CNN Money, 28 May 2025 Just a couple of weeks after showing up at the Met Gala in a shockingly short hairstyle, Kidman is serving up a saturated, asymmetrical bob with uneven baby bangs and a stick-straight, choppy look brought to fruition by hairstylist Evanie Frausto. Marci Robin, Allure, 22 May 2025 The video was choppy at times during the live demonstration. Tripp Mickle, New York Times, 20 May 2025 Together, the two retailers will have to wade the choppy waters of new tariffs on imports, including footwear. Alina Selyukh, NPR, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for choppy

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

chop entry 2

Adjective (2)

chop entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of choppy was in 1605

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Choppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/choppy. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

choppy

1 of 2 adjective
chop·​py ˈchäp-ē How to pronounce choppy (audio)
choppier; choppiest
: changeable sense 1, variable
choppy wind

choppy

2 of 2 adjective
choppier; choppiest
1
: rough with small waves
the lake was choppy
2
: marked by sudden stops and starts : not connected smoothly
short choppy sentences
choppiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on choppy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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