craggy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "craggy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something as rocky and jagged, like a mountain's surface. For example: The path winding up the craggy mountain side was treacherous to navigate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I also liked clambering over the rocky coastline in the north, particularly south of Svaneke, where a craggy ledge pushes out some 50 meters into the sea, meaning you can drop immediately into deep water.

The Guardian - Travel

The spaces in between the coastal towns of Cádiz province – craggy mountains, pine forests, fields and endless beaches – are empty and wild.

The Guardian - Travel

Do you look craggy - as if you are about to go into Agincourt / Bosworth all the time?

The Guardian

I think craggy is a pretty good word.

The Guardian

Certainly a craggy man appears in my bathroom mirror every morning.

The Guardian

Ford was the biggest car-maker in Britain, one of the most powerful corporations on the planet, and 187 women working in one of their craggy hangars brought them to a standstill.

The Guardian

TS Eliot, The Hollow Men From this craggy ledge above the Harad Basin, I can see for miles across the rugged countryside.

The Guardian - Tech

Out in the craggy ground of the agave fields, Acevez works alongside a team of about a dozen jimadores, including his brother and his nephew, hacking skilfully at the cores of the succulent – known as piñas because they look like large pineapples – to remove the bitter leaves.

The Guardian

It's a special place – a craggy landscape of dramatic limestone formations, and also a good spot to escape the beautiful but crowded towns of Málaga province for some peace.

The Guardian - Travel

From craggy glens to rocky Cornish coves; from tumbling Yorkshire stonewalls to green and boundless Welsh fields, to the Kent hops; from the vast flat plains of netherlandish Norfolk to the grey formal stones of the New Town; echoing through the silent shipyards of those great brothers-in-arms: Glasgow, Liverpool, Belfast?

The Guardian

The bus leaves the capital behind and chugs on, passing craggy cliffs and flooded pastures, single-room huts and mangrove forests.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "craggy" to vividly describe landscapes, especially mountains, coastlines, or rock formations. It evokes a sense of wildness and untamed beauty.

Common error

While "craggy" can describe human faces, overuse might sound cliché. Consider alternatives like "weathered" or "lined" for a more nuanced description.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "craggy" functions primarily as an attributive adjective, modifying nouns to describe their physical characteristics. It typically indicates a rough, uneven, and rocky surface, as Ludwig demonstrates.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

19%

Academia

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "craggy" is a versatile adjective effectively employed to describe landscapes and features characterized by roughness and unevenness. As Ludwig highlights, its usage spans from news articles and encyclopedia entries to more formal business contexts. While "craggy" is considered grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's advisable to use it thoughtfully when describing human faces to avoid clichés. The analyzed examples, together with Ludwig's AI analysis, underscore "craggy"'s role in adding vivid detail to descriptions, effectively conveying a sense of ruggedness and untamed beauty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rugged

Focuses more on the resilience and toughness of the feature.

jagged

Specifies sharp, pointed projections.

uneven

Highlights the lack of uniformity in the surface.

rocky

Directly relates to the presence of rocks and stones.

rough

Emphasizes the lack of smoothness.

weather-beaten

Implies exposure to the elements, resulting in a rough appearance.

mountainous

Describes terrain dominated by mountains.

hilly

Describes terrain with a series of hills.

coarse

Refers to a rough texture or quality.

broken

Suggests a surface that is fractured and fragmented.

FAQs

How to use "craggy" in a sentence?

"Craggy" is typically used as an adjective to describe something with a rough, uneven, and rocky surface. For example, "The goat climbed up the "craggy" rocks."

What can I say instead of "craggy"?

You can use alternatives like "rugged", "jagged", or "rough" depending on the specific context you intend.

Which is correct, "craggy cliffs" or "cragged cliffs"?

"Craggy cliffs" is more common and generally preferred. "Cragged" is a less frequently used alternative.

Can "craggy" be used to describe a person's face?

Yes, "craggy" can describe a person's face, suggesting rough or lined features, often associated with age or a life lived outdoors. However, use it judiciously as it can sometimes sound cliché.