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Added 9 October 2026

rocky

/ˈɹɒki/ adjective

In Latin: lapidosus, saxōsus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about rocky at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Abounding in rocks or stones.
rocky fields
Causing or characterized by jolts and irregular movements.
a rough ride
Liable to rock.
on high rocky heels

Origin

From Middle English rokki, rokky (“rocky”), from rok, rokke (“rock; a rock or stone; large rock by a coast or in the sea; rocky outcrop on a mountain, cliff; castle, citadel, stronghold”) [and other forms] + -i (suffix forming adjectives). Rok, rokke are derived from: * Old English *rocc (“rock”); and * Anglo-Norman roc, roce, roque, and Old French roce, roke, roque, variants of roche (“rock”); both from Medieval Latin roca, rocca; further etymology uncertain, possibly of Celtic origin. The English word is analysable as rock + -y (suffix forming adjectives meaning ‘having the quality of’).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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