(of a manual gear-changing mechanism) difficult to use because the lever has to be moved accurately (as if into a narrow notch)
（手动变速装置因变速杆位置须准确变动而）难以操作的
the gear-change action is rather notchy
Example sentencesExamples
The gearbox is also a bit Jekyll and Hyde - it slides smoothly and effortlessly into lower gears but fifth gear is a bit notchy and I have a bit of a tussle to engage it.
However, the pedals are still offset to the left and the fascia-mounted gear change is as notchy as it ever was.
I found the manual rather notchy, with a fairly long throw between changes.
That ‘low mileage, one owner, town car’ may seem like a good idea but you'll often find that a life spent covering short journeys also results in a notchy gearbox, worn suspension and a tight engine.
The manual gearbox has a tendency to be notchy and the auto gearbox doesn't change particularly smoothly.
Rhymes
blotchy, bocce, splotchy
Definition of notchy in US English:
notchy
adjectiveˈnäCHē
(of a manual gear-changing mechanism) difficult to use because the lever has to be moved accurately (as if into a narrow notch)
（手动变速装置因变速杆位置须准确变动而）难以操作的
the gear-change action is rather notchy
Example sentencesExamples
I found the manual rather notchy, with a fairly long throw between changes.
That ‘low mileage, one owner, town car’ may seem like a good idea but you'll often find that a life spent covering short journeys also results in a notchy gearbox, worn suspension and a tight engine.
The gearbox is also a bit Jekyll and Hyde - it slides smoothly and effortlessly into lower gears but fifth gear is a bit notchy and I have a bit of a tussle to engage it.
However, the pedals are still offset to the left and the fascia-mounted gear change is as notchy as it ever was.
The manual gearbox has a tendency to be notchy and the auto gearbox doesn't change particularly smoothly.