itch

1 of 2

verb

itched; itching; itches

intransitive verb

1
a
: 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

itch

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: 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
2
a
: a restless usually constant often compulsive desire
an itch to travel
itchiness noun
itchy 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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Mike Williams, New York Jets Currently on the outs with Aaron Rodgers, Mike Williams must be itching to get a fresh start elsewhere. Jesse Reed, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 Everyone is itching for the game in Green Bay, where the winner will own first place in the NFC North halfway through this memorable campaign. David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
Space travel is an itch that the United States, under any president, seems unable to resist scratching. Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024 But these are, arguably, some of the best in the country and worth a visit to scratch any itch for retail therapy. Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for itch 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of itch was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near itch

Cite this Entry

“Itch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/itch. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

itch

1 of 2 verb
1
: to have or produce an itch
2
: to cause to itch
3
: to have a strong desire
itching to get going

itch

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: an uneasy irritating feeling in the skin usually held to result from exciting cells or groups of cells which sense pain
b
: a skin disorder accompanied by an itch
especially : scabies
2
: a restless usually constant desire
itchiness noun
itchy adjective

Medical Definition

itch

noun
1
: an uneasy irritating sensation in the upper surface of the skin usually held to result from mild stimulation of pain receptors
2
: a skin disorder accompanied by an itch
especially : a contagious eruption caused by an itch mite of the genus Sarcoptes (S. scabiei) that burrows in the skin and causes intense itching
itch verb
itchiness noun
itchy adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on itch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!