scratchy

adjective \ ˈskra-chē \

Definition of scratchy

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

play \ˈskra-chə-lē\ adverb

—

scratchiness

play \ˈskra-chē-nəs\ noun

See scratchy defined for English-language learners

See scratchy defined for kids

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 of scratchy from the Web

More specifically, how to deep-condition the beard—how to soften each bristle while preventing scratchy whiskers, ingrown hairs, and unsightly split ends.

— adam hurly, GQ, "Hot Beard Oil Will Save Your Dry, Scratchy Scruff," 3 Aug. 2017
The opera unfolded like a dream against a bare set consisting of hanging scrims, subtle lighting and a single tree, The music began with a static sound, like an old, scratchy record, adding a timeless quality.

— janelle gelfand, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Opera makes history with Missy Mazzoli's 'Song from the Uproar'," 19 July 2017
Symptoms may include coughing, watery and itchy eyes, scratchy throat and difficulty breathing.

— cathy locke, sacbee, "Detwiler Fire prompts air quality advisory in Placer County," 19 July 2017
And don't forget the rise of luxury soft-to-the-touch fabrics, thus eliminating the need for protection against scratchy wools and tweeds (which hardly anyone wears anymore anyway).

— maria puente, USA TODAY, "Modesty be darned! Women's slip sales are slipping.," 6 July 2017
There was a time when a travel pillow meant an inflatable donut sheathed in scratchy plastic.

— chaney kwak, CNT, "4 Travel Pillows You'll Actually Want to Buy," 30 June 2017
Deputy Mayor Jerry Nankervis was on a scratchy phone connection and did not respond to the roll call to vote.

— jacob resneck, Alaska Dispatch News, "Overriding mayor’s objection, Juneau Assembly endorses Paris climate pact," 28 June 2017
Hooks don’t exactly roll off Scarborough or his band, whose evident skills never coalesce into a sound, and the best part of his pleasant voice is a scratchy lower register.

— rob tannenbaum, The Cut, "Joe Scarborough’s Debut Album Is All About Drugs, Decadence, and Bad Girls," 23 June 2017
NPR stations sound scratchy along these country roads.

— mary kilpatrick, cleveland.com, "In rural Northwest Ohio, more important things to worry about than Russia: Ohio Matters," 21 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scratchy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of scratchy

1827

scratchy Synonyms

Synonyms

brambly, prickly, thistly, thorny

Related Words

burred; bristly, coarse, jagged, rough

Near Antonyms

silken, silky, soft, soothing

SCRATCHY Defined for English Language Learners

scratchy

adjective

Definition of scratchy for English Language Learners

: having a rough sound : having a sound like the sound made when something sharp or rough rubs against a surface or object
: rough and irritating to the skin : likely to make you itch
: swollen and sore