scratchy

[ skrach-ee ]

/ ˈskrætʃ i /

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See synonyms for scratchy on Thesaurus.com

adjective, scratch·i·er, scratch·i·est.

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.

causing itching or other minor irritation of the skin: a scratchy woolen sweater.

causing or liable to cause a scratch or scratches: scratchy bushes.

Chiefly British Slang. peevish; spiteful.

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Origin of scratchy

First recorded in 1700–10; scratch + -y¹

OTHER WORDS FROM scratchy

scratch·i·ly, adverbscratch·i·ness, noun

Words nearby scratchy

scratch test, scratch the surface, scratch together, scratch video, scratch wig, scratchy, scraw, scrawl, scrawler, scrawly, scrawny

How to use scratchy in a sentence

In mid-July, my son woke up with a scratchy throat and we went to the clinic for a PCR test.
6 answers to parents’ COVID-19 questions as kids return to school|Sujata Gupta|August 11, 2021|Science News
Touching the screen would clue you in to whether a sweater is soft or scratchy, or if a couch’s fabric feels bumpy or smooth.
Capturing the sense of touch could upgrade prosthetics and our digital lives|Kathiann Kowalski|April 22, 2021|Science News
Those of us still well ask ourselves if a scratchy throat or a bit of nausea might be the first sign.
A Quiet Path Out of the Coronavirus Shadow - Issue 98: Mind|Clayton Dalton|March 31, 2021|Nautilus
If you’re looking for something under $50, it’s always a good idea to do a touch test before fully sleeping on them to avoid scratchy materials keeping you up at night.
Best sheets: Choose the right bed linens for a good night’s sleep|Carsen Joenk|December 18, 2020|Popular-Science

Another employee at Bartlett Regional Hospital who received the vaccine Wednesday “experienced eye puffiness, lightheadedness, and scratchy throat ten minutes after being injected with the vaccine,” according to a statement from the city of Juneau.
FDA investigating rare allergic reactions to Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, but says rollout will continue|Carolyn Y. Johnson, Joel Achenbach|December 18, 2020|Washington Post
Cochran had come down with some nasty throat bug and his voice was low and scratchy, but that only made it better.
How Thad Cochran Pulled Off a Win Over Chris McDaniel (Simple, Really)|Stuart Stevens|June 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rogers was a squat, bald-headed man who sported a scratchy-looking gray goatee.
Life Imitates Patriots: Inaugural Version|David Frum|January 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Is that scratchy rug atop her head really meant to be Kate's famously silken locks?
Kate's First Official Portrait: Will Artist be Sent To Tower for Hideous Picture?|Tom Sykes|January 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Once again, Pharoah hammers down every screechy, scratchy vocal tic while doing a Rock-sian riff on Romeo and Juliet.
Barack Obama and Jay Pharoah’s 7 Best Celebrity Impressions (VIDEO)|Kevin Fallon|September 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Last year, she had a chance to meet Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma, 16 years after seeing that scratchy video in Beijing.
Alyse Nelson: A Life Less Ordinary|Abigail Pesta|June 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It was a recording, scratchy, and full of unthinkable distance.
The Planet Strappers|Raymond Zinke Gallun
Instantly there was the sound of hurrying footsteps, tiny scratchy footsteps, and hundreds of mice came running into the hut.
Mighty Mikko|Parker Fillmore
This stuff is rough and scratchy, and theres no use starting out to damage things.
The Girl Scouts at Camp Comalong|Lillian Garis
To my great discomfort—for it was very scratchy—I seated myself on the crown.
Daisy|Miranda Eliot Swan
Then he ran his stiff and scratchy wing down his leg, yawned, and seemed bored.
The Skipper and the Skipped|Holman Day