choppy water
Agitated sea surface
Choppy water has short, irregular waves that break in multiple directions, typically caused by wind or conflicting currents.
The surface appears agitated and rough rather than smooth or rolling: The ferry crossing was rough—choppy water the whole way.
Small boats struggle most in choppy conditions, pitching unpredictably.
- roughUneven in surface
- rough seasTurbulent ocean conditions
- wavesTraveling energy disturbances
- turbulentViolently agitated or disturbed
- whitecapsFoam-topped breaking waves
rolling waves · swells · stormy · small craft advisory · rocking · bouncing · bumpy ride · unsettled · seasick · motion sickness · spray · sea spray · foam · churn · windswept · squall · pitching · tossing
- water surfaceripple, wave, reflection, glint, shimmer
- water surfacesocean surface, lake surface, sea surface, ripple, wave crest
- small wavesripple, wavelet, riffle
- bad weatherstorm, thunderstorm, hurricane, blizzard, gale
chop, chopped, chopping, chopper, choppers, choppier, choppiest, choppiness, water