scratchier; scratchiest
1
: marked or made with scratches
scratchy drawing
scratchy handwriting
2
: likely to scratch : prickly
scratchy undergrowth
3
: making a scratching noise
4
: uneven in quality : ragged
5
: causing tingling or itching : irritating
scratchy wool
6
: somewhat inflamed and sore
a scratchy throat
scratchily adverb
scratchiness noun

Examples of scratchy in a Sentence

listening to scratchy old records The costume is made from scratchy material. He is sick with a scratchy throat.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is often due to postnasal drip, which is when mucus from the nose and sinuses drains down the back of the throat, causing irritation and a scratchy feeling. Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2025 It’s made from a soft alpaca wool blend, which adds tons of warmth without feeling hot or scratchy. Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025 Allergic reactions can include a scratchy throat, watery eyes, itchy skin, runny nose, and sneezing. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2025 Hard water can also cause clothes to feel rough and scratchy against your skin. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scratchy

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scratchy was in 1827

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scratchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scratchy. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

scratchy

adjective
scratchier; scratchiest
1
: likely to scratch or make sore or raw : prickly
scratchy woolens
2
: making a scratching noise
3
: marked or made with scratches
a scratchy surface
scratchy handwriting
4
: uneven in quality : ragged
played a scratchy game of golf
5
: somewhat sore
a scratchy throat
scratchiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on scratchy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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