When water is choppy, it's covered with small, irregular waves that make the surface rough and uneven. A lake might be perfectly smooth in the morning, then turn choppy when afternoon winds pick up, creating uncomfortable conditions for small boats that bounce and rock with each wave.

The word also describes anything that feels jerky, uneven, or lacking smoothness. A choppy helicopter ride jolts passengers up and down instead of gliding smoothly through the air. When someone's writing is choppy, the sentences don't flow well together: they start and stop abruptly, making the text feel bumpy to read, like riding a bike over cobblestones instead of smooth pavement.

Musicians avoid choppy playing by connecting their notes smoothly. A choppy conversation lurches from topic to topic without natural transitions. Even video calls can be choppy when a poor internet connection makes the picture freeze and jump instead of moving naturally.

The opposite of choppy is smooth or fluid. Think of the difference between a skilled ice skater gliding across the rink and a beginner who moves in awkward, choppy motions.