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

Because flax fibers are rougher than cotton, some find linen bedsheets a bit scratchy. —Mary Grace Granados special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026

Allergies are typically marked by itchy, watery eyes, scratchy throat, sneezing, running nose and a cough. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026

By Kathleen Felton For The Washington Post Woke up to a sore, scratchy throat? —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025

Others wait until early symptoms, like a scratchy throat or fatigue, before starting. —Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 27 Dec. 2025

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