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 adverb
scratchiness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Beyond obvious symptoms such as a scratchy throat and runny nose, Hur urges people to watch for changes in their sense of smell or whether their normally thin, clear mucus becomes thicker. Jackie Snow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025 Symptoms can range from the mild, such as burning or itchy eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, and headache, to severe respiratory issues, including difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, fatigue, and chest pain. Emily Mullin, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2025 Wildfire smoke can also lead to other symptoms, such as a burning or stinging sensation in your eyes and a scratchy throat. Chantelle Lee, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025 The drier winter air outside and scratchy fabrics used in most cold-weather wear work together to make this a time of frizzy, fuzzy hair. Clint Davis, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for scratchy 

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scratchy was in 1827

Dictionary Entries Near scratchy

Cite this Entry

“Scratchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scratchy. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

scratchy

adjective
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

More from Merriam-Webster on scratchy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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