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Synonyms

scratchy

American  
[skrach-ee] / ˈskrætʃ i /

adjective

scratchier, scratchiest

  1. causing or liable to cause a slight grating noise.

    a scratchy record.

  2. consisting of or marked by scratches: scratches.

    a scratchy drawing.

  3. uneven; haphazard.

    He plays a scratchy game.

  4. causing itching or other minor irritation of the skin.

    a scratchy woolen sweater.

  5. causing or liable to cause a scratch or scratches: scratches.

    scratchy bushes.

  6. Chiefly British Slang. peevish; spiteful.

Other Word Forms

  • scratchily adverb
  • scratchiness noun

Etymology

Origin of scratchy

First recorded in 1700–10; scratch + -y 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.

In a weak and scratchy voice, she tells the BBC that when that happens there is only one option left - to walk into the scrubland to search for food.

From BBC

A towel to lay on this scratchy straw.

From Literature

He knew that he badly needed food, and that his arm hurt, and his eyes were scratchy with tiredness, but he couldn’t really feel it.

From Literature

I hook the back opening over my wrist so I’m wearing the hat like an odd, scratchy bracelet and start jogging again.

From Literature

There were scratchy clouds far down in the west, but it would be a fine day.

From Literature

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.