itchy

IPA/ˈɪtʃi/
KK[ˈɪtʃi]IPA/ˈɪtʃi/

itchy — adjective

  • itchypositive
  • itchiercomparative
  • itchiestsuperlative

1. making your skin feel as if you need to scratch, or bringing on that feeling in

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

making your skin feel as if you need to scratch, or bringing on that feeling in the skin.

Example

After the mosquito bite, Lien's ankle stayed itchy all afternoon.

be/stay itchy after an insect bite

This wool scarf feels itchy against Beatrix's neck in warm weather.

feel itchy against [body part]

Common collocations
  • itchy skin
  • itchy eyes
  • itchy rash
  • feel itchy
  • itchy from wool
Synonyms
  • itching

    close in meaning; often sounds slightly more direct about the physical sensation

  • irritated

    broader; can mean sore or inflamed without a strong urge to scratch

  • scratchy

    usually for rough materials or a throat rather than skin generally

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be itchy

feel itchy

itchy + body part

itchy from + cause

Usage Note

Often used with body parts, skin conditions, or fabrics touching the skin. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is physical on the skin, not a restless wish for change.

2. unable to settle because you strongly want a change, some action, or a chance to

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

unable to settle because you strongly want a change, some action, or a chance to move on.

Example

After nine months at the same desk, Christopher felt itchy for a change.

itchy for a change (restless desire)

The long rainy month left Chiara itchy to leave town and travel again.

itchy to + verb for wanting movement

Common collocations
  • itchy for a change
  • itchy to leave
  • itchy to travel
  • itchy for action
  • get itchy
Synonyms
  • restless

    broader; can describe unease without a specific wish to change situations

  • antsy

    more informal American English; stresses impatience to act or leave

  • eager

    more positive and less uncomfortable than itchy

Antonyms
  • content

    satisfied to stay as things are

  • settled

    comfortable with a stable routine or place

Grammar Patterns

be itchy for + noun

be itchy to + verb

get itchy

Usage Note

Informal and commonly followed by 'for' plus a noun or 'to' plus a verb. It usually suggests that staying in the same routine or place feels hard to bear any longer.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

These words all describe physical discomfort, but they focus on different sensations. 'Itchy' is the clearest choice when the skin makes you want to scratch, whether because of a bite, a rash, or rough fabric. 'Irritated' is broader and can describe skin that is red, sore, or inflamed even when there is little itching. 'Scratchy' often belongs to rough cloth or to a throat that feels dry and uncomfortable, so it is narrower than itchy on the skin. 'Prickly' suggests many tiny sharp stings, like heat rash or stiff grass. If scratching is the natural reaction, itchy is usually the best word.

itchy ↗irritated ↗scratchyprickly

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • a bit itchy
  • really itchy

Phrases

  • be itchy
  • feel itchy
  • get itchy

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish ('itch')English ('itchy')

Itchy comes from the older English word 'itch', the noun and verb for the feeling that makes you want to scratch. The ending '-y' adds the idea of 'having' or 'causing' that quality, so the adjective first described skin or things that brought on an itch. Later, English also extended it figuratively to mean feeling restless and wanting action or change.