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
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
If your current towels are limp, scratchy, or just plain uninspired, Quince’s Turkish Classic Bath towels are an instant bathroom upgrade.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 26 Dec. 2025
Wool can sometimes be rough or scratchy, but this sweater is super soft and breathable, so we’re tempted to buy more in other colors.
—Kevin Gray, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scratchy
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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
If your current towels are limp, scratchy, or just plain uninspired, Quince’s Turkish Classic Bath towels are an instant bathroom upgrade.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 26 Dec. 2025
Wool can sometimes be rough or scratchy, but this sweater is super soft and breathable, so we’re tempted to buy more in other colors.
—Kevin Gray, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 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 5 Jan. 2026.
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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