˜yÐÄvlog

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View synonyms for

itch

[ ich ]

verb (used without object)

  1. 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.

  2. to cause such a feeling:

    This shirt itches.

  3. Informal. to scratch a part that itches.
  4. to have a desire to do or get something:

    to itch after fame.



verb (used with object)

  1. to cause to have an itch:

    His wool shirt always itches him.

  2. Informal. to scratch (a part that itches):

    to itch a mosquito bite.

  3. to annoy; vex; irritate:

    Her remarks itched me.

noun

  1. the sensation of itching.
  2. an uneasy or restless desire or longing:

    an itch for excitement.

  3. Usually the itch. a contagious disease caused by the itch mite, which burrows into the skin. Compare mange, scabies.

itch

/ ɪ³Ùʃ /

noun

  1. an irritation or tickling sensation of the skin causing a desire to scratch
  2. a restless desire
  3. any skin disorder, such as scabies, characterized by intense itching
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. intr to feel or produce an irritating or tickling sensation
  2. intr to have a restless desire (to do something)
  3. not_standard.
    to scratch (the skin)
  4. itching palm
    a grasping nature; avarice
  5. have itchy feet
    to be restless; have a desire to travel
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ¾±³Ù³¦³ó²â, adjective
  • ˈ¾±³Ù³¦³ó¾±²Ô±ð²õ²õ, noun
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Other ˜yÐÄvlog Forms

  • ²¹²Ô·³Ù¾±-¾±³Ù³¦³ó adjective
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of itch1

First recorded before 900; Middle English verb (y)icchen, Old English gicc(e)an; akin to German jucken, Dutch jeuken; noun derivative of the verb
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of itch1

Old English ²µÄ«³¦³¦±ð²¹²Ô to itch, of Germanic origin
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

More recently, Republican Senator Ted Cruz spoke for 21 hours and 19 minutes in 2013 to protest the Affordable Care Act, which had been law for three years when he got an itch.

From

However, an Instagram post later in the evening showed that Wallen was itching to be out of New York City as quickly as possible.

From

For some, "social media and texting with friends scratches some of the itch of meeting up".

From

President Donald Trump has been itching to get back at lawmakers who investigated his actions on Jan. 6 and he's willing to tear down the concept of presidential pardons to get it done.

From

But then the alleged isolationist peacenik Donald Trump has been itching to use war powers since he became president the first time.

From

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Itch Vs. Scratch

What’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.Ìý

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.Ìý

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.

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