different between rocky vs steely

English

Pronunciation

• (General Australian) IPA^(key): [????ki?]
• (UK) enPR: r?k'i, IPA^(key): /???ki/, [????ki?]
• (US) IPA^(key): [????ki]
• Rhymes: -?ki

Etymology 1

From rock (“to move back and forth”) +? -y.

Adjective

rocky (comparative rockier or more rocky, superlative rockiest or most rocky)

1. Unstable; easily rocked.

2. In the style of rock music.

   His new album is quite rocky.

3. (figuratively) Troubled; or difficult; in danger or distress.

   Their relationship had weathered some rocky times, but they loved each other.

Derived terms

• rockily
• rockiness
• rocky chair

Translations

Etymology 2

From Middle English rokky, equivalent to rock (“stone”) +? -y.

Adjective

rocky (comparative rockier or more rocky, superlative rockiest or most rocky)

1. Full of, or abounding in, rocks; consisting of rocks.

   a rocky mountain

   a rocky shore

2. Like a rock.

   the rocky orb of a shield

3. (figuratively) Not easily impressed or affected; hard; unfeeling; obdurate

Derived terms

Translations

Anagrams

• corky

English

Etymology

From steel +? -y.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?sti?li/
• Homophone: stele
• Rhymes: -i?li

Adjective

steely (comparative steelier, superlative steeliest)

1. Having qualities resembling those of steel, especially hard and resolute.

   The bully backed down before his steely gaze.

   steely grey hair

   • She would unarm her noble heart of that steely resistance against the sweet blows of love.
2. Made of steel.
   • Around his shop the steely sparkles flew.

Derived terms

• steelily
• steeliness

Translations

Anagrams

• sleety, stylee