scratchy

adjective \ ˈskra-chē \

|Updated on: 10 Aug 2018

Examples: scratchy in a Sentence

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

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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

In the case of cochlear implants, patients initially experience the human voice as high-pitched and scratchy (think Mickey Mouse) but adapt over time.

— justin chen, STAT, "Pulses of light restored hearing in gerbils. Could that lead to higher-tech cochlear implants?," 11 July 2018
Each tree gets a guard, such as plastic spirals or scratchy wire called hardware cloth, on the base to protect it from mice or pests.

— kathy flanigan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "In Wisconsin, when life hands you apples, you make elegant ciders. And brandy," 27 June 2018
The best way to fix scratchy eyeballs is to figure out what’s causing them to be so damn irritated in the first place.

— korin miller, SELF, "7 Things That Can Cause Irritated, Scratchy Eyes," 29 June 2018
Since Delta Air Lines rolled out new employee uniforms last week, the carrier has been responding to some issues raised with scratchy aprons, buttons falling off and skin sensitivity to some of the fabric.

— kelly yamanouchi, ajc, "Delta makes fixes in response to glitches in new employee uniforms," 7 June 2018
In the first, Mr. Sciarrino, clearly inspired by Paganini’s dazzling violin caprices, writes an avant-garde equivalent, with whirlwinds of jagged, scratchy-toned arpeggios that flow into slinky, sliding tones, then erupt in staccato madness.

— New York Times, "Review: A Tiny Garage Explodes in Pianistic Madness," 25 June 2018
Six months of cold, dry weather, not to mention constricting boots and scratchy socks, have no doubt caused havoc.

— max berlinger, The Seattle Times, "Guys, before you switch to sandals, check out your feet," 21 June 2018
With an ambient soundtrack and a scratchy VHS aesthetic, the film evokes nostalgia as well, positioning the dancer as a spark of humanity in an increasingly technological world.

— leah pickett, Chicago Reader, "Chicago Underground Film Festival: The Shorts," 5 June 2018
There’s always a kind of scratchy feel, something that feels kind of chalky — visually.

— juliana feliciano reyes, Philly.com, "Meet UArts' Loveis Wise, 23, who just illustrated the cover of the New Yorker," 4 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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scratchy Synonyms

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