[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/scratchy/)

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# scratchy

adjective (scratchy, scratchier, scratchiest)

«scratchy» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Scratchy cloth or material feels rough and makes your skin itch. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scratchy/#m1)
2. A scratchy sound or voice is rough, harsh or crackly, like an old record. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scratchy/#m2)
3. A scratchy throat feels sore and dry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scratchy/#m3)
4. Scratchy writing or drawing is made of rough, untidy lines. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scratchy/#m4)

### In the lessons

In science lessons on materials, wool or straw may be described as scratchy, while silk is smooth. In everyday life, children complain about scratchy jumpers or labels, and a scratchy throat can be the start of a cold. In stories, a scratchy voice may belong to a witch or an old radio. Phrases: "scratchy jumper", "scratchy throat", "scratchy old record".

### Examples

- This wool jumper is too scratchy to wear. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scratchy/#x1)
- I've got a scratchy throat, so I might be getting a cold. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scratchy/#x2)
- The old record made a scratchy sound. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scratchy/#x3)
- The witch spoke in a scratchy voice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scratchy/#x4)
- The label in my shirt is scratchy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scratchy/#x5)
- His handwriting was small and scratchy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scratchy/#x6)
- Hay feels scratchy on your legs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scratchy/#x7)

### Note

Comparative: scratchier, scratchiest (y → ier/iest). It comes from "scratch" + -y. Opposite: smooth, soft. Related: itchy (wanting to scratch), which is about feeling, while scratchy is about the material.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «scratchy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scratchy/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«scratchy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/scratchy.html) on Mova free.

