scratchy

adjective

ˈskra-chē 

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

ˈskra-chə-lē 

adverb

scratchiness

ˈskra-chē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of scratchy

• jagged
• thorny
• prickly

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

Dry winter air can leave you with cracked, peeling skin, gritty eyes, and a scratchy throat. —Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2026

Settling for a scratchy sweatshirt is out of the question when there are silky-smooth options like this airy modal pullover. —Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026

Finally, detergent and fabric softener residue left in the washer drum can redeposit on your clothes and leave the fabric feeling stiff and scratchy. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2026

The soft inner lining keeps the toes warm but isn’t scratchy. —Sarah Scott, Parents, 16 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for scratchy

• catchy
• patchy
• apache
• malachi

Kids Definition

scratchy

adjective

ˈskrach-ē 

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