SCRATCHY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does scratchy mean? 

• SCRATCHY (adjective)
  The adjective SCRATCHY has 4 senses:

1. causing abrasion

2. easily irritated or annoyed

3. lacking consistency

4. unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound

  Familiarity information: SCRATCHY used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SCRATCHY (adjective)

Comparative: scratchier   
Superlative: scratchiest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Causing abrasion

Synonyms:

abrasive; scratchy

Similar:

rough; unsmooth (having or caused by an irregular surface)

Derivation:

scratch (an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off)

scratchiness (the roughness of a substance that causes abrasions)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Easily irritated or annoyed

Synonyms:

cranky; fractious; irritable; nettlesome; peckish; peevish; pettish; petulant; scratchy; techy; testy; tetchy

Context example:

not the least nettlesome of his countrymen

Similar:

ill-natured (having an irritable and unpleasant disposition)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Lacking consistency

Synonyms:

scratchy; spotty; uneven

Context example:

the golfer hit the ball well but his putting was spotty

Similar:

inconsistent (displaying a lack of consistency)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound

Synonyms:

grating; gravelly; rasping; raspy; rough; scratchy

Context example:

a gravelly voice

Similar:

cacophonic; cacophonous (having an unpleasant sound)

Derivation:

scratch (a harsh noise made by scraping)

 Context examples 

Symptoms of acute inhalation injuries may include: • Coughing and phlegm • A scratchy throat • Irritated sinuses • Shortness of breath • Chest pain or tightness • Headaches • Stinging eyes • A runny nose • If you already have asthma, it may get worse.

(Inhalation Injuries, Environmental Protection Agency)