# scratchy

/ˈskɹætʃi/ (US) · /skɹˈætʃi/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scratchy
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

having a surface that feels rough or itchy. It can also describe a voice that sounds hoarse or a sound that is not smooth.

For teachers: having a rough, uneven, or irritating surface; also describes a voice or sound that lacks smoothness or clarity. Often used to describe physical textures or vocal qualities.

## Examples

- The new wool sweater is very scratchy against my skin.
- After losing her voice for three days, she had a scratchy, raspy sound that made it hard to speak clearly.
- The technician noted that the audio recording was scratchy in the second half, likely due to a minor dust buildup on the analog tape head.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.