ropy
ropy — adjective
- ropypositive
- ropiercomparative
- ropiestsuperlative
1. Something that is ropy is in poor condition or of disappointing quality, often b
Something that is ropy is in poor condition or of disappointing quality, often because it was badly made or has been used for a long time.
The hotel breakfast was ropy — the toast was cold and the eggs were watery.
collocation: ropy food / ropy breakfast
Joshua's old bicycle had ropy brakes, so he decided to take the bus instead.
attributive use: ropy + noun (brakes)
The internet in the cottage was ropy, and the video call kept freezing every minute.
The film had ropy special effects — the dinosaur looked like a puppet.
用法筆記
This sense is mainly used in informal British English and is unrelated to the literal meaning 'like rope'. The other senses (2 and 3) are neutral in register.
常見錯誤
2. Long, strong, and fibrous in appearance or texture, like a piece of rope.
Long, strong, and fibrous in appearance or texture, like a piece of rope.
The old gardener's hands had ropy veins that stood out against his thin skin.
descriptive use: ropy veins
Dahlia pulled a ropy strand of melted cheese from the pizza on her plate.
Apinya tied back her hair with a ropy leather cord from the night market.
From the tree branch hung thick, ropy vines that swayed in the wind.
用法筆記
This sense describes physical appearance or texture, not quality. It is neutral in register and most often used in descriptive or literary writing.
3. Thick and sticky in a way that forms long, thin threads when stretched or pulled
Thick and sticky in a way that forms long, thin threads when stretched or pulled apart.
The old glue had gone ropy and would not spread evenly across the paper.
describes a substance that has become thick and stringy
Soraya stirred the ropy mixture slowly, watching the thick syrup form long threads.
A ropy slime dripped from the broken pipe in the corner of the damp basement.
The melted caramel dripped in ropy strands over the edge of the warm bowl.