adjective

choppy

CHO-pee

Choppy (adjective) means full of small, rough waves. Example: “The ferry crossing was rough because the sea was choppy.”

adjective

Full of small, rough waves.

"The ferry crossing was rough because the sea was choppy."

Uneven or disjointed, moving in short bursts rather than smoothly.

"The film had a choppy editing style that some viewers found jarring."

How to Use Choppy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRough and broken up — used for water, but also for anything (like editing, or a market) that moves in jerky, uneven bursts.

Common pairings

choppy water choppy seas choppy editing choppy trading

Word Forms

choppier comparative, choppiest superlative

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Fill the Gap

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The ferry crossing was rough because the sea was _____.

Etymology

From chop plus the adjective-forming suffix -y.

Rhymes for choppy

poppy soppy hoppy floppy sloppy

See all rhymes for choppy →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “choppy” mean?

The word “choppy” means full of small, rough waves. In plain terms, rough and broken up — used for water, but also for anything (like editing, or a market) that moves in jerky, uneven bursts.

How do you pronounce “choppy”?

“Choppy” is pronounced CHO-pee (/ˈt͡ʃɑ.pi/ in IPA).

How do you use “choppy” in a sentence?

Here is “choppy” used in a sentence: “The ferry crossing was rough because the sea was choppy.”

What part of speech is “choppy”?

“Choppy” is an adjective.

How many meanings does “choppy” have?

“Choppy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: full of small, rough waves.