itch

[ich]

verb (used without object)

1. to have or feel a peculiar tingling or uneasy irritation of the skin that causes a desire to scratch the part affected.

   My nose itches.

2. to cause such a feeling.

   This shirt itches.

3. Informal.,  to scratch a part that itches.

4. to have a desire to do or get something.

   to itch after fame.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to have an itch.

   His wool shirt always itches him.

2. Informal.,  to scratch (a part that itches).

   to itch a mosquito bite.

3. to annoy; vex; irritate.

   Her remarks itched me.

noun

1. the sensation of itching.

2. an uneasy or restless desire or longing.

   an itch for excitement.

3. Usually the itch a contagious disease caused by the itch mite, which burrows into the skin.

itch

/ ɪtʃ /

noun

1. an irritation or tickling sensation of the skin causing a desire to scratch

2. a restless desire

3. any skin disorder, such as scabies, characterized by intense itching

verb

1. (intr) to feel or produce an irritating or tickling sensation

2. (intr) to have a restless desire (to do something)

3. not_standard,  to scratch (the skin)

4. a grasping nature; avarice

5. to be restless; have a desire to travel

Other Word Forms

• itchy adjective
• itchiness noun
• anti-itch adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of itch¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English verb (y)icchen, Old English gicc(e)an; akin to German jucken, Dutch jeuken; noun derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of itch¹

Old English gīccean to itch, of Germanic origin

Example Sentences

The performing itch returned to Jaramillo when he retired from the Santa Fe railroad in the 1990s and moved back to Southern California.

From Los Angeles Times

The itch to return to top-level international rugby as a head coach never left Mitchell.

From BBC

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

To not scratch that itch creatively in Season 2, I think the audience would have been so disappointed.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

Related Words

• ache 
• crave 
• hanker 
• thirst 
• yearn 

When To Use

What’s the difference between itch and scratch?

An itch is a feeling of irritation on the skin, often one that makes you want to scratch it (scrape it or rub it). The word itch can also be used as a verb meaning to have this sensation (as in My leg itches) or to cause to itch (as in The tag on my shirt keeps itching me).Itch also has some more figurative meanings as both a noun and a verb.The reason you looked this up, though, is because itch is sometimes informally used to mean the same thing as scratch, as in Try not to itch your mosquito bites—it will only make them itchier! Language purists are often itching to clarify that you scratch an itch, but this verb use of itch is quite common.As a noun, the word scratch means something different—a cut or scrape, typically a minor one caused by something having scratched the skin, as in I got a few scratches from the thornbush. Here’s an example of itch and scratch used correctly in the same sentence.Example: I know your rash itches, but don’t scratch your itch so hard—you’ll leave a scratch on your arm!Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between itch and scratch.