scratchy
Americanadjective
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causing or liable to cause a slight grating noise.
a scratchy record.
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consisting of or marked by scratches.
a scratchy drawing.
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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.
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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:
Jos Buttler followed for 25 – he was scratchy again – and Tom Banton 17, only for Bethell to resurrect the chase in the company of Jacks.
From BBC ● Mar. 5, 2026
It charts the Egyptian Lover’s rise through old photos, from the artist’s personal collection, where the gold chains are stacked, curls are juicy, chest hair is popping and the windbreaker tracksuits are scratchy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2025
Meanwhile Nathan Johnson’s score of scratchy cellos and foreboding horns pairs well with a dramatic burst of organ music — one of many goofy-great jump scares goosed up by the editor Bob Ducsay.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 25, 2025
But she was scratchy for 39 balls before being bowled by Ecclestone, alongside Kavisha Dilhari, as each batter tried and failed to put her under pressure by sweeping or taking her down the ground.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2025
“You said we had to wear these scratchy smelly putrid things for the rest of the week.”
From "Ruby Holler" by Sharon Creech
If his most recent news conference is any indication, those may become scratchier.
From New York Times ● Apr. 23, 2021
Where the EP gave it Plant’s rich tenor core, the album leaves him shriller and scratchier, closer to Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe or Geddy Lee of Rush.
From New York Times ● Oct. 17, 2018
“Got any kids?” he asked, his scratchy voice even scratchier than usual.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2018
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 Soper, J. H. Gardner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
