rocky

Etymology 1

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’).

adj

1. Abounding in, or full of, rocks; consisting of rocks.
   a rocky mountain    a rocky shore
2. Like a rock; rigid, solid.
3. (Of an animal or plant) Having a habitat around or on rocks.
4. (figurative, archaic) Not easily affected or impressed; stony; hard; obdurate; unfeeling.
   to have a rocky heart

Etymology 2

From rock (“to move back and forth”) + -y (suffix forming adjectives meaning ‘having the quality of’). Rock is derived from Middle English rokken (“to move (something, such as a cradle) back and forth; to move or sway back and forth in an unstable manner; to go”) […], from Old English roccian (“to rock”), from Proto-Germanic *rukkōną (“to move; to move back and forth, rock”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rewk- (“to dig; to till (soil)”).

adj

1. Easily rocked; unstable.
   The table was rocky, so we put a book under one leg.
2. (figurative)
   1. Encountering many problems; difficult, troubled; also, in danger or distress.
      (encountering many problems):
      (in danger):
      Their relationship had weathered some rocky times, but they loved each other.
   2. (originally US) Of a person: ill, or unsteady (for example, as a result of a shock).

Etymology 3

From rock (“rock and roll music”) + -y (suffix forming adjectives meaning ‘having the quality of’).

adj

1. In the style of rock music.
   His new album is quite rocky.