Advertisement
Advertisement
itch
[ ich ]
verb (used without object)
- to have or feel a peculiar tingling or uneasy irritation of the skin that causes a desire to scratch the part affected:
My nose itches.
- to cause such a feeling:
This shirt itches.
- Informal. to scratch a part that itches.
- to have a desire to do or get something:
to itch after fame.
verb (used with object)
- to cause to have an itch:
His wool shirt always itches him.
- Informal. to scratch (a part that itches):
to itch a mosquito bite.
Her remarks itched me.
itch
/ ɪʃ /
noun
- an irritation or tickling sensation of the skin causing a desire to scratch
- a restless desire
- any skin disorder, such as scabies, characterized by intense itching
verb
- intr to feel or produce an irritating or tickling sensation
- intr to have a restless desire (to do something)
- not_standard.to scratch (the skin)
- itching palma grasping nature; avarice
- have itchy feetto be restless; have a desire to travel
Derived Forms
- ˈٳ, adjective
- ˈٳԱ, noun
Other Word Forms
- ·پ-ٳ adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of itch1
Word History and Origins
Origin of itch1
Example Sentences
Does performing and writing stand-up scratch a different creative itch than performing and writing on “Ted Lasso” or “Shrinking”?
That this sincere notion dovetails with an itch to vacate her dour, oppressive home only adds to her determination.
The office worker from Devon describes days bedridden with "excruciating" pain and chronic itching, while waiting up to 18 months for NHS treatments.
"The prisoner says that even when it is his turn to shower he tries to avoid it because the water… causes itching and inflammation."
“My legs were on fire with itch,” he said.
Advertisement
Itch Vs. Scratch
’s the difference between itch and scratch?
An itch is a feeling of irritation on the skin, often one that makes you want to scratch it (scrape it or rub it). The word itch can also be used as a verb meaning to have this sensation (as in My leg itches) or to cause to itch (as in The tag on my shirt keeps itching me).
Itch also has some more figurative meanings as both a noun and a verb.
The reason you looked this up, though, is because itch is sometimes informally used to mean the same thing as scratch, as in Try not to itch your mosquito bites—it will only make them itchier! Language purists are often itching to clarify that you scratch an itch, but this verb use of itch is quite common.
As a noun, the word scratch means something different—a cut or scrape, typically a minor one caused by something having scratched the skin, as in I got a few scratches from the thornbush.
Here’s an example of itch and scratch used correctly in the same sentence.
Example: I know your rash itches, but don’t scratch your itch so hard—you’ll leave a scratch on your arm!
Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between itch and scratch.
Quiz yourself on itch vs. scratch!
Should itch or scratch be used in the following sentence?
This new lotion makes me _____—I hope I’m not allergic to it.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse