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itchy

itchy

45 1.0
A feeling on the skin that makes you want to scratch
  • adjective
  • /ˈɪtʃi/
translation icon : que pica
  • The new wool sweater was so itchy that I had to take it off.
  • itchy skin
  • itchy nose
  • itchy eyes

Yeah, one of the side effects is itchy face syndrome.

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Examples

  • Red wine gave him red, itchy bumps under the armpits.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • I scratched at something itchy on the inside of my elbow until I drew blood.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • So if you have itchy skin, this is a great brand.

  • It's just so itchy and tight.

  • My eyes got red and itchy, and I wanted to run away.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Ma, my face is kind of itchy.

  • Anna developed itchy skin, which their doctor ascribed to a lack of proper sleep.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • I've always hated wool, but yeah, it's itchy like wool.

  • Atopic eczema should be diagnosed when a child has an itchy skin condition plus three or more of the following:

    Academic text (2012)
  • After a day in the sun, my skin became itchy from the heat.

Synonyms

scratchy
vsitchy
8 3.2

Rough on the skin and slightly irritating

is about an inner skin sensation causing a strong urge to scratch
irritating
vsitchy
4 3.1

Causing pain or discomfort to body parts like skin and eyes

is specific to skin sensations that lead to wanting to scratch
irritable
vsitchy
  • Specialized
4 5.0

Sensitive to touch or other signals

refers to a felt skin sensation that makes one want to scratch
tickly
vsitchy
  • UK
1 3.7

Causing a light itch or tingling that makes you want to cough and scratch

is usually a stronger unpleasant sensation that urges scratching
pruritic
vsitchy
  • Specialized
9.2

Causing an itchy feeling on the skin

is the common everyday word rather than a medical term

Antonyms

494 1.0

Not feeling pain or physical discomfort

Idioms

Having a strong need to scratch all over the body

itchy feet
  • Informal
8.0

A strong wish to travel to new places

Compounds

1 8.4

A strong urge to act quickly without thinking

How Itchy

raw
46 3.8
sore
192 1.0
itchy
45 1.0
scratchy
8 3.2
prickly
14 3.3
tingly
19 3.7

Surface Forms

itchy positive
itchier comparative
itchiest superlative

Morphology

itchy = itch (transparent) = itch + y

Clearly formed by adding the productive suffix '-y' to 'itch'; the adjectival meaning referring to having or causing an itch is literal and easily inferred.

Etymology

The word itchy comes from the old English word itch, which meant 'to scratch' or a 'prickling' on the skin. So when your skin is itchy, it gives that uncomfortable feeling that makes you want to scratch.