patchily
gb/pˈæt͡ʃəli/ us/pˈæt͡ʃəli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
formal
C1
property
1
in patches; not evenly spread
In some places but not in others.
Usage pattern:
[something] is [verb] patchily (across/throughout [place])
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with partially (= not completely). Patchily means unevenly, with gaps.
Synonyms
unevenly (More general; not specifically in separate patches.)
|
irregularly (Emphasizes lack of a regular pattern.)
|
in patches (Closest paraphrase; more phrase-like than a single adverb.)
Antonyms
evenly (Spread equally across an area.)
|
uniformly (Spread consistently with no noticeable variation.)
Collocations
patchily distributed
|patchily spread
|patchily covered
|patchily scattered
|patchily across the region
|patchily throughout the country
|patchily present
|patchily affected
|patchily cloudy
|patchily foggy
Themes
nature
|weather
|places
Examples
- Snow lay patchily on the north-facing slopes, while the valley floor was clear.
- The disease is patchily distributed across the island, with hotspots near the coast.
- It was patchily cloudy all morning, with brief sunny spells in between.
Learner examples
- Grass grows patchily in dry areas.
- The paint dried patchily on the wall.
adverb
formal
C1
property
2
inconsistently; with gaps in quality
Not consistently; some parts are good but other parts are missing or weak.
Usage pattern:
[something] is [verb] patchily (documented/recorded/understood)
Common mistake:
Learners may use patchily when they mean briefly; patchily refers to uneven coverage, not short duration.
Synonyms
inconsistently (Focuses on changing quality or behavior over time or across parts.)
|
spottily (More informal; often used for performance or coverage.)
|
sporadically (Emphasizes irregular occurrence rather than uneven coverage.)
Antonyms
consistently (Steady and reliable throughout.)
|
thoroughly (Complete, with no significant gaps.)
Collocations
patchily documented
|patchily recorded
|patchily researched
|patchily understood
|patchily regulated
|patchily enforced
|patchily implemented
|patchily reported
|patchily successful
|patchily effective
Themes
communication
|education
|work
Examples
- The early years of her life are only patchily documented in the archives.
- Safety rules were patchily enforced, so practices varied from site to site.
- The series is engaging, but the acting is patchily effective.
Learner examples
- The topic is patchily explained in the book.
Grammar
Dictionary form
patchily
IPA
GB/pˈæt͡ʃəli/
US/pˈæt͡ʃəli/
Syllables & stress
patch - ily (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (patch)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: patchily
- Plural: patchilies
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.