notchy
Full of grooves
Notchy describes something that moves or operates in distinct steps rather than smoothly—catching or clicking through increments.
A notchy gearshift resists fluid motion, engaging at defined points.
The word often appears in reviews of mechanical equipment: The throttle felt notchy and imprecise.
It can also describe edges with small irregular indentations.
Toothed one-way mechanism
- clickBrief sharp noise
- detentMechanism holding position temporarily
- gearToothed wheel or belongings
- incrementalProceeding by small additions
stepped · indexed · dial · adjustment · calibrated · graduations · settings · pawl
Having toothlike projections
- sawtoothTriangular repeating edge pattern
- toothedHaving pointed projections
- zigzagAngled back-and-forth path
- crenulatedHaving squared notches
scalloped · indented · spiky · pronged · kinked · ragged · snagged · cogged
ratchet
Toothed one-way mechanism
incremental · stepped · indexed · dial · adjustment · calibrated · graduations · settings · pawl · escapement
serrated
Having toothlike projections
- sawtoothTriangular repeating edge pattern
- toothedHaving pointed projections
- zigzagAngled back-and-forth path
crenulated · scalloped · indented · spiky · pronged · kinked · ragged · snagged · cogged · ratcheted
textured
Having tactile surface quality
knurled · corrugated · bumpy · rough · uneven · embossed · etched · carved · stippled · gritty
uneven
Not smooth or balanced
stuttering · halting · irregular · fitful · intermittent · sporadic · hesitant · lurching · jumpy · rough
notchysmooth
Without roughness or difficulty
even · sleek · continuous · unblemished · flat
notchysmooth
Without roughness or difficulty
fluid · seamless · continuous · linear · progressive
- top notchOf the highest caliber
- notch upAccumulate incrementally, score
- take down a notchDiminish someone's pride
- a notch aboveMarginally superior quality
- knocked down a notchMade less arrogant
- bring down a notchReduce someone's arrogance