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

• brambly
• prickly
• thistly
• thorny

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

Telltale warning signs of a cold usually include sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and scratchy throat. —Sarah Bradley, Health, 6 Oct. 2024

But Frank was more the scratchy handwriting type, prone to splotch—not one to weep, let alone for long. —Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 4 Oct. 2024

Unlike the scratchy wool of your grandma sweater, this fabric is soft and smooth, and feels light and breezy next to the skin. —Kristine Thomason, Glamour, 3 Oct. 2024

Wen: Common symptoms include runny or stuffy nose, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, scratchy throat, and itching and burning in the nose, mouth and eyes. —Katia Hetter, CNN, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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