ropier

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparableinformal

   of lower quality or less reliable than something else; comparative of 'ropy'.

   Grammar: Used to compare two things: 'This essay is ropier than the last one.'

   Patterns

   • ropier than something
   • the ropier of the two

   The second draft was ropier than the first, with several factual errors.

   His excuses got ropier each time he was late.

   This batch of photos looks ropier than the ones we took yesterday.

2. 2adjectivecomparableinformalBritish

   feeling more unwell or weaker than before; comparative of 'ropy'.

   Grammar: Often used after 'feel' or 'be' to describe health: 'I feel ropier today.'

   Patterns

   • feel ropier
   • be ropier than usual

   After another sleepless night, she felt even ropier.

   He said he was ropier than yesterday and stayed in bed.

   The patients who skipped breakfast seemed ropier by noon.

Word forms

Common combinations

feel ropier

I feel ropier after that long flight.

look ropier

The old bridge looks ropier every year.

get ropier

The service got ropier as the evening went on.

a ropier performance

The team gave a ropier performance in the second half.

Synonyms and how they differ

worse

More general and not informal; 'worse' can describe any decline, while 'ropier' suggests poor quality or shaky condition specifically.

shakier

Focuses on instability or lack of confidence; 'ropier' often implies lower quality or feeling unwell.

poorer

Neutral and formal; 'poorer' is used for quality or money, but 'ropier' is informal and often about reliability.

Opposites

Word family

ropy adjective

Base form meaning of poor quality or feeling unwell.

ropily adverb

In a ropy manner; rarely used.

ropiness noun

The quality of being ropy; rare.

Commonly confused: ropier or ropey?

Practice

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