scratchier; scratchiest
1
: marked or made with scratches
scratchy drawing
scratchy handwriting
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
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
His lines are a bit scratchy and loose, the subjects sensitively observed but not too defined.
—
Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Depending on the level of exposure, ozone can: Cause coughing and sore or scratchy throat.
—Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 1 Apr. 2024
One talented artist even drew the Unknown in the distinctively scratchy style of Quentin Blake, an illustrator who often collaborated with Dahl and has become associated with his stories.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Mom doctored us up with pineapple juice for scratchy throats and sinus infections.
—Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 12 Jan. 2024
Keep in Mind Wool blankets can feel scratchy, and this one is no exception.
—Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2023
The material is very soft against the skin, not scratchy at all.
—Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2024
It’s crafted from 100 percent Irish linen, which is soft (unlike some linen, which can be slightly scratchy) and allows for plenty of air flow.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2024
This reversible duvet cover is crisp without being scratchy and hides stains pretty well.
—Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2024
Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Depending on the level of exposure, ozone can: Cause coughing and sore or scratchy throat.
—Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 1 Apr. 2024
One talented artist even drew the Unknown in the distinctively scratchy style of Quentin Blake, an illustrator who often collaborated with Dahl and has become associated with his stories.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Mom doctored us up with pineapple juice for scratchy throats and sinus infections.
—Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 12 Jan. 2024
Keep in Mind Wool blankets can feel scratchy, and this one is no exception.
—Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2023
The material is very soft against the skin, not scratchy at all.
—Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2024
It’s crafted from 100 percent Irish linen, which is soft (unlike some linen, which can be slightly scratchy) and allows for plenty of air flow.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2024
This reversible duvet cover is crisp without being scratchy and hides stains pretty well.
—Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scratchy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Articles Related to scratchy
Dictionary Entries Near scratchy
Cite this Entry
“Scratchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scratchy. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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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
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