scratchy

adjective \ ˈskra-chē \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 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

—

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

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
Which doesn’t mean that adults, sick of their stiff, scratchy jeans and dreaming of something soft and seductive this season, cannot indulge their longing for Liberty with a floaty frock or a peplum blouse, a pj’s set or even a saucy bralette.

— lynn yaeger, Vogue, "It’s High Time to Reconsider the Liberty Print," 4 June 2018
Alan Engdahl was driving home after an overnight shift in the oil field when his truck picked up a scratchy radio signal out of Gillette.

— eli saslow, Washington Post, "After school shootings, a teenager challenges the gun culture in her conservative Wyoming town," 18 May 2018
The title track builds buzzing, soothing layers of sound—a ringing drone is punctuated by stately piano fragments and, as the piece unfolds, increasing flecks of scratchy guitar noise.

— peter margasak, Chicago Reader, "Michael Vallera adds effective bite and tension to his latest album of ambient works," 17 May 2018
For about 20 years, the ultrasounds that were part of prenatal care showed a scratchy black-and-white image that looked like an old TV when the rabbit ears fell over and the poltergeist was trying to talk to you.

— petula dvorak, Washington Post, "For a mother-to-be (and the dad, too), the ultimate gender-reveal party," 13 May 2018
Parents of autistic kids would cut the scratchy tags out of their children’s t-shirts.

— emily matchar, Smithsonian, "Designing “Adaptive Clothing” For Those With Special Needs," 8 May 2018
Classic dry eye signs include dry, itchy, stinging, burning, or scratchy-feeling eyes, according to the Mayo Clinic.

— korin miller, SELF, "How to Deal With Dry, Itchy Eyes," 18 Apr. 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

NEW! Time Traveler

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