Rocky describes something covered with or made up of rocks. A rocky beach has stones and pebbles instead of soft sand, making it harder to walk barefoot. A rocky mountain trail might be scattered with loose stones that hikers need to watch out for. The planet Mars has a rocky surface, which is why rovers there need sturdy wheels.

The word also describes something difficult, unstable, or uncertain. A friendship might go through a rocky period when two friends argue frequently or struggle to understand each other. A ship in a storm faces rocky seas. When someone says their team had a rocky start to the season, they mean things began with problems and setbacks rather than smooth success.

These two meanings connect through the idea of roughness and difficulty. Just as walking across actual rocks requires careful steps and balance, navigating rocky situations in life demands attention and effort. When politicians have a rocky relationship, they work together uneasily, with tension and disagreements. A student might have a rocky beginning at a new school but eventually find their footing and make friends.