patchy
Here and there
Patchy describes something uneven or inconsistent, with gaps or variations across its extent.
A patchy lawn has bare spots among the grass.
Patchy fog appears in some areas but not others.
Patchy knowledge or patchy coverage suggests incomplete or spotty distribution: My memory of that night is patchy.
Service in rural areas remains patchy at best.
Lacking regularity or consistency
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- variableProne to fluctuation
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
uneven · hit-or-miss · unreliable · sketchy · spotty · fluctuating · intermittent · scattered
Thinly scattered or distributed
- thinSmall in diameter
- scatteredSpread irregularly about
- incompleteLacking necessary parts
- unevenNot smooth or balanced
gappy · spotty · missing · threadbare · worn · thinning · bald · ragged
Seen or patterned
- blotchyIrregularly marked with patches
- dappledMarked with spots
- speckledDotted with small marks
- unevenNot smooth or balanced
discolored · splotchy · flecked · marbled · variegated · streaky · blemished · freckled
Occurring irregularly, infrequently
- occasionalHappening at intervals
- periodicOccurring at intervals
- episodicOccurring in distinct segments
- on-and-offOccurring at irregular intervals
broken · interrupted · fitful · flickering · stuttering · spasmodic · halting · faltering
erratic
Lacking regularity or consistency
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- variableProne to fluctuation
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
sporadic · uneven · hit-or-miss · unreliable · sketchy · spotty · fluctuating · intermittent · scattered · fragmented
sparse
Thinly scattered or distributed
- thinSmall in diameter
- scatteredSpread irregularly about
- incompleteLacking necessary parts
uneven · gappy · spotty · missing · threadbare · worn · thinning · bald · ragged · frayed
spotted
Seen or patterned
uneven · discolored · splotchy · flecked · marbled · variegated · streaky · blemished · freckled · stippled
sporadic
Occurring irregularly, infrequently
- occasionalHappening at intervals
- periodicOccurring at intervals
- episodicOccurring in distinct segments
on-and-off · broken · interrupted · fitful · flickering · stuttering · spasmodic · halting · faltering · choppy
- incompleteincomplete, unfinished, partial, fragmentary, half-done
- skin descriptionssmooth, rough, dry, oily, fair
- grassgreen, brown, dead, dry, wet
- Inconsistencywishy-washy, flip-flop, fickle, unreliable, unpredictable
- unevenuneven, irregular, unequal, nonuniform, asymmetric
- unpredictableunpredictable, uncertain, unreliable, erratic, inconsistent
patchyuniform
Identical throughout
even · comprehensive · consistent · complete · continuous
patchyconsistent
Not varying or contradicting
steady · reliable · constant · uniform · dependable
patchycontinuous
Without pause or gap
unbroken · uninterrupted · seamless · solid · connected
- rough patchesDifficult periods experienced
- eye patchFabric over one socket
- patch upRepair roughly or reconcile
- patched upTemporarily fixed or reconciled
- rough patchDifficult period experienced
- patching upTemporary restoration work
patch, patches, patched, patchwork, patching, patchily, patchiness, patchier, patchiest