itching

American

[ich-ing] / ˈɪtʃ ɪŋ /

adjective

of, relating to, or characterized by an irritating sensation of the skin.
of, relating to, or having a longing or desire to do or have something.

An itching public anxiously awaits her announcement.
characterized by restlessness or the desire for adventure or activity.

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

noun

itch.

Other Word Forms

itchingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of itching

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

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.

Now, many of the wealthy individuals who powered Cliffwater’s rise are itching to leave, as investors rethink their views on private credit.

From The Wall Street Journal

For Manchester City's players, it probably presents a different problem in that they will be itching to keep their momentum going.

From BBC

My body was covered in a handful of enlarged mosquito bites, many of them already open gashes from my relentless itching.

From Salon

It is a rare cancer, and people should look out for a lump in the area, itching and even bleeding.

From BBC

My hair has curled back up at the ends, and it’s itching my neck.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023