scratchier; scratchiest
1
: marked or made with scratches
scratchy drawing
scratchy handwriting
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
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
Typically lasting about a week, these include chronic cough, sneezing fits, runny nose, sinus pressure, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and hoarse (scratchy, raspy) voice.
—
Mark Gurarie, Health, 17 Mar. 2025
Some are snapshots — making paper airplanes, watching the Muppets, swimming in the ocean — while others more impressionistic: the smell of burning incense, the scratchy stubble on his father’s chin, the boney outline of his ankle, and the cold metal of his guitar strings.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Watkins was a raw, though scratchy, wide forward, prolific at youth team level but erratic in his overall game.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
Understanding Flannel and Brushed Cotton Honorable Mentions Article Brushed Cotton Sheets for $129: These brushed cotton sheets were a little scratchy compared to other options.
—Nena Farrell, WIRED, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scratchy
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Mark Gurarie, Health, 17 Mar. 2025
Some are snapshots — making paper airplanes, watching the Muppets, swimming in the ocean — while others more impressionistic: the smell of burning incense, the scratchy stubble on his father’s chin, the boney outline of his ankle, and the cold metal of his guitar strings.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Watkins was a raw, though scratchy, wide forward, prolific at youth team level but erratic in his overall game.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
Understanding Flannel and Brushed Cotton Honorable Mentions Article Brushed Cotton Sheets for $129: These brushed cotton sheets were a little scratchy compared to other options.
—Nena Farrell, WIRED, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scratchy
Cite this Entry
“Scratchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scratchy. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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