itch

verb
\ ˈich How to pronounce itch (audio) \
itched; itching; itches

Definition of itch

 (Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to have an itch her arm itched
b : to produce an itchy sensation long underwear that itches
2 : to have a restless desire or hankering for something were itching to go outside

transitive verb

1 : to cause to itch
2 : vex, irritate

itch

noun

Definition of itch (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : an uneasy irritating sensation in the upper surface of the skin usually held to result from mild stimulation of pain receptors
b : a skin disorder accompanied by such a sensation especially : a contagious eruption caused by a mite (Sarcoptes scabiei) that burrows in the skin and causes intense itching
2a : a restless usually constant often compulsive desire an itch to travel

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from itch

Noun

itchiness \ ˈi-​chē-​nəs How to pronounce itchiness (audio) \ noun
itchy \ ˈi-​chē How to pronounce itchy (audio) \ adjective

Examples of itch in a Sentence

Verb

His eyes began to burn and itch because of his allergies. This sweater makes me itch.

Noun

I had a slight itch on my back. Scratching only makes the itch worse. She's always had an itch for adventure. He has an itch to travel.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Many of the same idiots who pushed for war in Iraq are now in the Trump administration and have been itching to go to war against Iran. Jeff Barker, baltimoresun.com, "U.S.-Iran crisis: What Maryland lawmakers are saying about Trump and what happens next in uneasy standoff," 21 June 2019 State attorneys general weren’t the only prosecutors itching to get in on the action. Christine Biederman, WIRED, "Inside Backpage.com’s Vicious Battle With the Feds," 18 June 2019 Beyond running factory schools for Fiat Chrysler, Bondurant is a go-to destination for teen drivers, armed security, and those itching for a competition license. Clifford Atiyeh, Car and Driver, "Bob Bondurant Racing School, Bankrupt, Reopens Under New Owner," 21 May 2019 No sneezing or watery eyes but lots of itching from contact. The Washington Post, "Carolyn Hax Live: 'The cat is your guardian angel'," 25 Jan. 2019 In the pilot episode, directed by Adam McKay (The Big Short, Anchorman), Logan is contemplating passing the reins of his company to his son Kendall (Jeremy Strong), a recovering addict who’s itching to prove himself. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "Filthy Rich: The Power Plays of Succession," 2 June 2018 The entire beach, which by the end of the game was full of starters, was itching to charge the field. Terry Monahan, Pomerado News, "Del Norte girls capture first CIF lacrosse title," 16 May 2018 After a week of uncharacteristic silence spent largely away from the public eye, President Donald Trump arrived in Ohio itching to give his take on, well — just about everything. Ali Vitali /, NBC News, "After a week away from the cameras, Trump cuts loose," 29 Mar. 2018 Argonne researchers have been itching to get started on the project, but it has largely idled while the Office of Science budget stagnated. Adrian Cho, Science | AAAS, "Science at Department of Energy gets a hefty raise in final 2018 budget," 23 Mar. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The research isn’t just about scratching a scientific itch. Ben Simons, National Geographic, "Volcanoes blow smoke rings. Now we know how they do it.," 7 Aug. 2019 If just being around people doesn’t scratch the lonely itch, there are also options for actually meeting and hanging out with new people during the summer. Anna Borges, SELF, "7 Tips for Anyone Who Gets Depressed in the Summer," 21 June 2019 If Toyota got the itch to move to Texas, how about other auto firms? Steve Brown, Dallas News, "Heard on the street: Is Honda eyeing a move to North Texas?," 5 Aug. 2019 Other symptoms include warts that itch or bleed in the anal canal or a hard lump that appears to increase in size, says the CDC. Jayne O'donnell, USA TODAY, "HPV vaccine prevents anal cancer, too, 'Desperate Houswives' Marcia Cross reminds us," 6 June 2019 It's also used topically to relieve minor aches, stings, and itch. Allure, "The Skin-Care Glossary: A Comprehensive Guide to Everything You Need to Know," 17 Aug. 2018 But that find in Portland, Conn., wasn’t enough to satisfy his itch. Ron Hurtibise, sun-sentinel.com, "With much Good Humor, vintage ice cream trucks serve nostalgia on a stick," 4 July 2019 If emollient treatment fails, other options include topical and oral steroids, anti-histamines or oral itch suppressors, or even antibiotics. Philly.com, "Bath additives not needed to treat eczema," 8 May 2018 Doom Eternal Nothing excites me more than a delicious buffet of ludicrous gibs (yes, that’s a Rise of the Triad reference), and Doom always scratches that itch nicely. Brittany Vincent, Popular Mechanics, "The Best New Video Games We Can’t Wait to Play at E3 This Week," 10 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'itch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of itch

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for itch

Verb

Middle English icchen, from Old English giccan; akin to Old High German jucchen to itch