scratchier; scratchiest
1
: marked or made with scratches
scratchy drawing
scratchy handwriting
2
: likely to scratch : prickly
scratchy undergrowth
3
: making a scratching noise
4
: uneven in quality : ragged
5
: causing tingling or itching : irritating
scratchy wool
6
: somewhat inflamed and sore
a scratchy throat
scratchily adverb
scratchiness noun

Examples of scratchy in a Sentence

listening to scratchy old records The costume is made from scratchy material. He is sick with a scratchy throat.
Recent Examples on the Web One talented artist even drew the Unknown in the distinctively scratchy style of Quentin Blake, an illustrator who often collaborated with Dahl and has become associated with his stories. Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Mom doctored us up with pineapple juice for scratchy throats and sinus infections. Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 12 Jan. 2024 Keep in Mind Wool blankets can feel scratchy, and this one is no exception. Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2023 The material is very soft against the skin, not scratchy at all. Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2024 It’s crafted from 100 percent Irish linen, which is soft (unlike some linen, which can be slightly scratchy) and allows for plenty of air flow. Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2024 This reversible duvet cover is crisp without being scratchy and hides stains pretty well. Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2024 Born to Be solidified Melanie’s style; her dynamic voice could bellow and expand, or shrink into scratchy, childlike murmurs. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 25 Jan. 2024 The brief is designed with a one-piece construction up to the wide, all-in-one waistband — so no need to worry about scratchy tags. Barbara Bellesi Zito, Travel + Leisure, 24 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scratchy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scratchy was in 1827

Dictionary Entries Near scratchy

Cite this Entry

“Scratchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scratchy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

scratchy

adjective
scratchier; scratchiest
1
: likely to scratch or make sore or raw : prickly
scratchy woolens
2
: making a scratching noise
3
: marked or made with scratches
a scratchy surface
scratchy handwriting
4
: uneven in quality : ragged
played a scratchy game of golf
5
: somewhat sore
a scratchy throat
scratchiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on scratchy

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