rocky

12 synonyms and 3 antonyms for rocky, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Covered with or made up of rocks.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

stony rugged unstable shaky turbulent

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

craggy bouldery jolting jolty bumpy jumpy bouldered

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Covered with or made up of rocks.

“We climbed carefully over the rocky beach to reach the cave.”

stony craggy rugged unstable shaky turbulent bouldery jolting jolty bumpy jumpy bouldered

Opposites

smooth

2. adj

Full of difficulties or instability; troubled.

“After a rocky first term, the new team began to work well together.”

Opposites

easy

3. adj

Unsteady or shaky, especially after illness or shock.

“My legs felt rocky when I first got out of bed after the fever.”

Opposites

stable

How to use rocky

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

rocky road rocky relationship a rocky start

Etymology

From Middle English rokki, built on "rock" plus the adjective suffix "-y."

Full origin of rocky →

Frequently asked questions

What does “rocky” mean?

The word “rocky” means covered with or made up of rocks. In plain terms, covered in rocks, or (figuratively) unstable, troubled, or shaky.

How do you pronounce “rocky”?

“Rocky” is pronounced RO-kee (/ˈɹɑki/ in IPA).

How do you use “rocky” in a sentence?

Here is “rocky” used in a sentence: “The trail became steep and rocky near the summit.”

What part of speech is “rocky”?

“Rocky” is an adjective.

Where does the word “rocky” come from?

The word “rocky” comes from Middle English. From Middle English rokki, built on "rock" plus the adjective suffix "-y.".

Is “rocky” a common word?

“Rocky” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “rocky” have?

“Rocky” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: covered with or made up of rocks.

What is the difference between "rocky" and "stony"?

"Rocky" suggests ground covered with or made up of large rocks and boulders. "Stony" usually suggests smaller stones or pebbles, and can also describe a cold, unsympathetic manner.

Can "rocky" describe both places and situations?

Yes. Literally, "rocky" describes terrain covered with rocks, such as a rocky coastline. Figuratively, it describes a period, business, or relationship that is troubled and unstable, such as a rocky start.

What is the difference between "rocky" and "rough"?

Both can describe difficult periods, but "rough" stresses hardship and discomfort, while "rocky" stresses instability and the risk of things going wrong. A rocky patch suggests ups and downs rather than steady hardship.

People also searched

easy stable smooth unstable rugged turbulent shaky Stony craggy jolty jumpy bumpy

Nearby words

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