C2adjectivetraveltechnology
US/ˈpætʃ.i/
UK/ˈpætʃ.i/
not the same everywhere: good in some parts and bad or missing in others
In context
The phone signal is patchy once you get into the mountains.
His knowledge of grammar is patchy, but his speaking is very fluent.
Expect patchy showers across the north on Saturday afternoon.
Words that go with patchy
adjective + noun
- patchy recordThe team has a patchy record away from home.
- patchy coverageRural areas still have patchy mobile coverage.
- patchy fogDrive carefully: there is patchy fog on the highway this morning.
- patchy evidenceThere is only patchy evidence that the new diet works.
adverb + adjective
- rather patchyThe service on this route is rather patchy.