scratchy

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Characterized by scratches.

   • An indulgent playmate, Grannie would lay aside the long scratchy-looking letter she was writing (heavily crossed ‘to save notepaper’) and enter into the delightful pastime of ‘a chicken from Mr Whiteley's’.
2. 2

   Irritating

   Irritating; itchy.

3. 3

   Noisy, lossy

   Noisy, lossy; marred by white noise or static as a result of poor or low signal, interference or unfavourable atmospheric conditions.

   • The FM station two hundred miles away was receivable, but the audio was too scratchy to positively identify.
4. ›+ 2 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Having popping and/or crackling sounds due to excessive wear, especially from scratch…

      Having popping and/or crackling sounds due to excessive wear, especially from scratch marks.

      • Once he almost fell asleep, and then the little record player started up in his mother and father's bedroom. Mom was playing her scratchy Elvis 45s again.
   2. 5

      Irritable

      Irritable; tetchy.

      • 'Now, now, don't get scratchy,' said Casali. 'You've got enough troubles of your own. […]

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