What does "rockily" mean?
In an uneven way; in a rocking manner.
Rockily
adv
adv ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: In an uneven way; in a rocking manner.
- Grammar: rockily is listed as adv.
- Usage evidence: https://web.archive.org/web/20060508091041/http://www.michaelmcfadyenscuba.info/articles/earprob.htm We arrive there five minutes later and I sit up very rockily. I have to get off this boat, I am getting sick.
How to use "rockily"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "rockily" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "rockily" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "rockily" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "rockily" is acting as adv in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with a nearby word before publishing so the final choice matches the reader's expectations.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "rockily", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Adverb
- 1 In an uneven way; in a rocking manner.
"https://web.archive.org/web/20060508091041/http://www.michaelmcfadyenscuba.info/articles/earprob.htm We arrive there five minutes later and I sit up very rockily. I have to get off this boat, I am getting sick."
- 2 In a manner suggestive of a rock or rocks.
"Ten minutes before serving whisk up the whites of eggs with a little sugar and pile rockily on top."
- 3 Unsteadily; inconsistently or resulting in volatility.
"https://web.archive.org/web/20051221172204/http://www.trumanlibrary.org/hoover/mccoy1.htm They would gain much in common only slowly, and I should add rockily, for the early stages of their acquaintance was based substantially on mutual self-interest."
- 4 In a manner suggestive of rock music.
"https://web.archive.org/web/20060504130636/http://www.albemarle-london.com/notredame.html The music of Richard Cocciante, the book and lyrics of Luc Plamondon, with the lyrics translated by Will Jennings, are consistently and rockily entertaining"
Example
"https://web.archive.org/web/20060508091041/http://www.michaelmcfadyenscuba.info/articles/earprob.htm We arrive there five minutes later and I sit up very rockily. I have to get off this boat, I am getting sick."
Common questions
How do you use "rockily" in a sentence?
https://web.archive.org/web/20060508091041/http://www.michaelmcfadyenscuba.info/articles/earprob.htm We arrive there five minutes later and I sit up very rockily. I have to get off this boat, I am getting sick.
Etymology
From rocky + -ly.