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

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The waters of co-parenting get a bit more choppy for Jim when Trey, the owner of the Boston Celtics, enters the picture and wins Julia’s heart. Rivea Ruff, Essence, 12 Mar. 2024 Or maybe Taylor’s point is that teenagers grow and mature in ways that are choppy and inconsistent. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 Several leading voices at major banks are telling clients that although the inflation waves ahead will be choppy, an overall disinflationary trend is still in place — with relief around the corner for consumers and those hoping that the Fed will lower rates sometime this year. Talmon Joseph Smith, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 To start the year, the inflation readings have been a little choppy as costlier and still-high housing costs have kept prices rising more than expected. Alicia Wallace, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024 Her hair is long and loose per usual, but enhanced by fresh set of choppy, perfectly imperfect bangs. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 22 Mar. 2024 While her hair was still wet by the end of the clip, McMillan shared off the dry, finished product in an Instagram post, showing off the tousled cut's artfully choppy ends and slightly longer, face-framing layers. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2024 The reality star chose a chic black design and went for short, choppy bangs. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 Despite the actors’ competency, plot holes and choppy dialogue bury the real meat of the episodes. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 31 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'choppy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near choppy

Cite this Entry

“Choppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/choppy. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

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

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