itching

[ich-ing]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by an irritating sensation of the skin.

2. of, relating to, or having a longing or desire to do or have something.

   An itching public anxiously awaits her announcement.

3. characterized by restlessness or the desire for adventure or activity.

   an itching impulse to travel.

4. characterized by the desire to grasp; grasping; an itching palm open for a bribe.

noun

1. itch.

Other Word Forms

• itchingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of itching¹

before 1000; Middle English ( y ) ichinge, ( y ) itchinge (noun, adj.); replacing Old English giccende (adj.). See itch, -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Because I know from experience that some of you are frothing, foaming and itching to reach out and tell me that illegal means illegal.

From Los Angeles Times

And just as the Tories profited from that collapse, Reform are itching to capitalise now.

From BBC

Defending the Mission League crown will be a challenge for Sierra Canyon because Marymount is itching to unseat its archival, having dropped three meetings with the Trailblazers last season.

From Los Angeles Times

The venom from a tarantula bite typically won’t kill a human, but it can cause minor pain, swelling or itching.

From Los Angeles Times

Everyone seems to be looking for someone who "doesn't take themselves too seriously", is itching to make travel and running a personality trait, or is desperate to go hiking.

From BBC

Related Words

• awful 
• disgusting 
• disturbing 
• eerie 
• frightening www.thesaurus.com
• ghoulish 
• macabre 
• menacing 
• ominous 
• sinister 
• terrifying 
• weird