itch
verb (used without object)
to have or feel a peculiar tingling or uneasy irritation of the skin that causes a desire to scratch the part affected.
have been itching
-
present perfect progressiveof itch.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The French have been itching to take this step for some time.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2025
More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has once again brought newcomers to survivalist schools, as people have been itching to leave the house.
From Slate ● Oct. 27, 2024
The ordinance does not specify a mayoral command uniform, but you just know that someone somewhere in City Hall must have been itching to design one.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 20, 2022
Theaters artists have been itching to get back to work since New York went on lockdown in March 2020.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 3, 2021
“He’s here. Along with a whole bunch of moms and dads who have been itching to get in here and see you. I kept them out so you could get yourself together first.”
From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper
