adj
scratchy
SKRAT-shee
Scratchy (adj) means Rough or coarse against the skin, causing irritation. Example: “The wool sweater felt scratchy against his neck.”
adj
1
Rough or coarse against the skin, causing irritation.
"The wool sweater felt scratchy against his neck."
2
Marred by static, crackling, or interference, especially in sound recordings.
"The old vinyl had a scratchy, worn-out sound."
How to use scratchy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRough and irritating to the touch, or full of crackle and static.
Common pairings
scratchy fabric
scratchy voice
scratchy recording
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Word forms
- Comparative
- scratchier
- Superlative
- scratchiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The wool sweater felt _____ against his neck.
Etymology
Formed from scratch plus the adjective ending -y.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for scratchy
See all rhymes for scratchy →Frequently asked questions
What does “scratchy” mean?
The word “scratchy” means rough or coarse against the skin, causing irritation. In plain terms, rough and irritating to the touch, or full of crackle and static.
How do you pronounce “scratchy”?
“Scratchy” is pronounced SKRAT-shee (/ˈskɹæt͡ʃi/ in IPA).
How do you use “scratchy” in a sentence?
Here is “scratchy” used in a sentence: “The wool sweater felt scratchy against his neck.”
What part of speech is “scratchy”?
“Scratchy” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “scratchy” have?
“Scratchy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: rough or coarse against the skin, causing irritation.
