scratchy

Everyday

1. Scratchy cloth or material feels rough and makes your skin itch. tree →
2. A scratchy sound or voice is rough, harsh or crackly, like an old record. tree →
3. A scratchy throat feels sore and dry. tree →
4. Scratchy writing or drawing is made of rough, untidy lines. tree →

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 →
• I've got a scratchy throat, so I might be getting a cold. tree →
• The old record made a scratchy sound. tree →
• The witch spoke in a scratchy voice. tree →
• The label in my shirt is scratchy. tree →
• His handwriting was small and scratchy. tree →
• Hay feels scratchy on your legs. tree →

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.