patchiness
Uneven distribution throughout
Patchiness is the quality of being uneven or inconsistent in distribution or quality.
A lawn shows patchiness when grass grows thick in some spots and sparse in others.
The word applies to anything that varies unpredictably: The patchiness of cell coverage in rural areas frustrates travelers.
Performance or work can show patchiness when quality fluctuates: The novel's patchiness—brilliant chapters alternating with dull ones—left critics divided.
Occurring irregularly, infrequently
- intermittentOccurring at irregular intervals
- erraticLacking regularity or consistency
- haphazardLacking organization or plan
- unevenNot smooth or balanced
irregular · scattered · unpredictable · discontinuous · hit-or-miss · fitful · unreliable · variable
Having irregular color patches
- blotchyIrregularly marked with patches
- dappledMarked with spots
- speckledDotted with small marks
- spottedSeen or patterned
splotchy · stippled · flecked · marbled · piebald · calico · pinto · brindled
Unfilled spaces between
- thinningReducing density or number
- sparseThinly scattered or distributed
- unevenNot smooth or balanced
- incompleteLacking necessary parts
scattered · fragmented · balding · threadbare · worn · missing · discontinuous · holey
Inlaid pictorial arrangement
- quiltStuffed, stitched bed covering
- checkerboardAlternating square pattern
- tessellationGapless plane coverage
- collageAssembled mixed-media artwork
jigsaw · motley · hodgepodge · piecemeal · bricolage · montage · medley · harlequin
sporadic
Occurring irregularly, infrequently
- intermittentOccurring at irregular intervals
- erraticLacking regularity or consistency
- haphazardLacking organization or plan
uneven · irregular · scattered · unpredictable · discontinuous · hit-or-miss · fitful · unreliable · variable · fluctuating
mottled
Having irregular color patches
spotted · splotchy · stippled · flecked · marbled · piebald · calico · pinto · brindled · variegated
gaps
Unfilled spaces between
incomplete · scattered · fragmented · balding · threadbare · worn · missing · discontinuous · holey · sketchy
mosaic
Inlaid pictorial arrangement
- quiltStuffed, stitched bed covering
- checkerboardAlternating square pattern
- tessellationGapless plane coverage
collage · jigsaw · motley · hodgepodge · piecemeal · bricolage · montage · medley · harlequin
rough
Uneven in surface
coarse · irregular · heterogeneous · grainy · nubby · ragged · scabrous · rugged
- hair issuesdandruff, split ends, hair loss, frizz, dry hair
- nonuniformityheterogeneity, nonuniformity, irregularity, unevenness, inconsistency
- changeabilityvariability, mutability, fickleness, inconstancy, instability
patchinessuniformity
State of being identical
evenness · smoothness · homogeneity · regularity · continuity
patchinessconsistency
Reliable adherence to standards
steadiness · reliability · dependability · constancy · stability
patchinesscompleteness
State of being whole
thoroughness · comprehensiveness · wholeness · totality · fullness
patch, patches, patchy, patched, patchwork, patchier, patcher, patchiest, repatched