Etymology 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’).
1
Abounding in, or full of, rocks; consisting of rocks.
a rocky mountain a rocky shore
The pihoihoi live in the island's interior, and the torea on its rocky shore.2003, Margaret Rose Orbell, Carolyn Lagahetau, Birds of Aotearoa: a natural and cultural history:
1 more example
When faced with a rockier or muddier section, look ahead for the easiest way across. This might involve hopping from one rock to another, or looking for flat sections or patches of vegetation that might be grippier.2021, Claire Maxted, “Quick Start”, in The Ultimate Trail Running Handbook: Get Fit, Confident and Skilled Up to Go from 5K to 50K, London: Bloomsbury Sport, Bloomsbury Publishing, →ISBN, page 25:
2
Like a rock; rigid, solid.
Marsh went on as his prisoner drank. "Because you're caught in the middle of my alternate plan, Ram-Jam, which ram-jams your ass between the rockiest rock and the hardest hard place you ever imagined.1988, Lloyd Pye Lloyd Pye, Mismatch, →ISBN, page 134:
3
Having a habitat around or on rocks.
Of an animal or plant
4
Archaic, Figuratively Not easily affected or impressed; stony; hard; obdurate; unfeeling.
"Come, George, fork out. I'm sorry if you're rocky too but it's an absolute that it's no good going back without it." "'Rocky,' my God!" said George, echoing her shallow laugh. "Well—but how much do you need to square it?"1934, Ernest Bramah, The Bravo of London:
Derived terms
nonrocky, Rockies, rockily, rockiness, Rocky Creek, Rocky Face, Rocky Ford, Rocky Glen, Rocky Hall, Rocky Hill, Rocky Mount, Rocky Mountain, Rocky Mountains, rocky planet, Rocky River, rocky road, Rocky View County
rocky
adj
Etymology 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)”).
1
Easily rocked; unstable.
The table was rocky, so we put a book under one leg.
2
Figuratively Encountering many problems; difficult, troubled; also, in danger or distress.
Their relationship had weathered some rocky times, but they loved each other.
3
Figuratively Of a person: ill, or unsteady (for example, as a result of a shock).