scratchy
Americanadjective
-
scratchier,
comparative
-
scratchiest
superlative
-
causing or liable to cause a slight grating noise.
a scratchy record.
-
consisting of or marked by scratches.
a scratchy drawing.
-
uneven; haphazard.
He plays a scratchy game.
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causing itching or other minor irritation of the skin.
a scratchy woolen sweater.
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causing or liable to cause a scratch or scratches.
scratchy bushes.
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Chiefly British Slang. peevish; spiteful.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of scratchy
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.
See Examples For:
“Early on, some families seemed mildly symptomatic, complaining of headaches, scratchy throats and sinus issues,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
Conrad: I’d come up with something like the scratchy safety vests they make you wear when you go fishing on a boat.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
Having looked scratchy early on, Dunkley found her groove by slogging Kathryn Bryce over mid-wicket for six in the third over.
From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026
"Once I went into the ATM corner, my throat felt scratchy, almost numb."
From BBC ● May 25, 2026
It was scratchy and smelled like bleach, but it was clean.
From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce
If his most recent news conference is any indication, those may become scratchier.
From New York Times ● Apr. 23, 2021
“Got any kids?” he asked, his scratchy voice even scratchier than usual.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2018
Meanwhile, both speaking and singing, her voice was considerably lower, huskier and scratchier than it had been during “Auld Lang Syne.”
From New York Times ● Jan. 1, 2017
The Italian has become the second Ireland manager to lead the nation to the European Championship and the squad that he has here in Poland is indisputably of scratchier quality.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 8, 2012
“Let me go,” Tobias says, and he sounds scratchier than before.
From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth
“I’ve always enjoyed playing against the Rays just because they were the toughest, scratchiest team we played against and now I’m on the other side of it. I’m ready to go.”
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 31, 2021
He may have got the top score, narrowly, but it was the scratchiest of innings.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 23, 2019
Events through the summer on Governors Island and at the Governors Club Verboten’s stageONE Verboten’s four-part series of parties in Bushwick Inlet Park will make even the chin scratchiest of dance music devotees happy.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 27, 2015
The bonus point Gloucester secured with an injury-time consolatory try ranked among the scratchiest in the competition's history.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 19, 2010
Hadn't he pulled off races on the scratchiest of polo ponies, when he couldn't afford better, out of sheer intention?
From The Dark Tower by J. H. Gardner Soper
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