rockier

Rockier is the comparative form of the adjective rocky. It describes something that is more rocky—containing more rock, more stony, or more difficult to traverse because of rock features—than another thing. The term is commonly used when comparing landscapes, trails, or surfaces, but it can also describe sound or style in music when emphasizing rock elements.

The word is formed from rocky by adding the comparative suffix -ier. Rocky itself comes from rock with the adjectival ending -y. The construction is standard in English for forming comparatives from adjectives ending in -y.

In geography, rockier terrain often implies exposed bedrock, loose stones, and steeper slopes, potentially making movement slower or more hazardous. In a musical context, a track described as rockier typically features stronger guitar work, heavier rhythm, and a more pronounced rock influence than a preceding version or comparison.

Related terms include rocky, stony, rugged, and jagged, with the superlative form rockiest. The usage of rockier spans physical descriptions of terrain as well as metaphorical or stylistic comparisons in various disciplines.