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English dictionary

itch Meaning & Definition

/ɪt͡ʃ/

What Does Itch Mean?

Itch is used as a noun meaning A sensation felt on an area of the skin that causes a person or animal to want to scratch said area. It can also mean A constant teasing desire or want. As a verb, it means To feel itchy; to feel a need to be scratched.

Itch: Key Facts

Part of speechnoun, verb
Pronunciation/ɪt͡ʃ/
Synonymsurge, scratch and rub
Pluralitches
Verb formsitches, itching, itched

Itch Definition (Noun)

  1. A sensation felt on an area of the skin that causes a person or animal to want to scratch said area.
  2. A constant teasing desire or want.

Itch as a Verb

  1. To feel itchy; to feel a need to be scratched.
  2. To have a constant, teasing urge; to feel strongly motivated; to want or desire something.

    He started learning to drive and he has been itching for opportunities to practice ever since.

  3. To cause to feel an itch.
  4. To scratch or rub so as to relieve an itch.

Noun

  1. A sensation felt on an area of the skin that causes a person or animal to want to scratch.

Synonyms of Itch

Itch synonyms and antonyms →

Itch in a Sentence

He started learning to drive and he has been itching for opportunities to practice ever since.

Word Forms & Grammar

itch (plural itches)

itch (third-person singular simple present itches, present participle itching, simple past and past participle itched)

Words That Rhyme With Itch

Origin of Itch

Origin 1: From Middle English icche, ȝicche, from Old English ġiċċe (“itch”), from Proto-Germanic *jukjǭ (“itch”), of unknown origin. Cognate with Scots yeuk (“itch, itchiness”), Dutch jeuk (“itch”), German jucken.

Origin 2: From Middle English icchen, ȝicchen, from Old English ġiċċan, ġyċċan (“to itch”), from Proto-West Germanic *jukkjan (“to itch”), of unknown origin. Cognate with Scots yeuk (“to itch”), West Frisian jûkje (“to itch”), Dutch jeuken (“to itch”), Low German jocken (“to itch”), German jucken (“to itch”).

Quick Answers About Itch

Is itch a noun or a verb?

Itch is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.

What is another word for itch?

You can replace itch with words such as urge, scratch and rub. See the full list of itch synonyms and antonyms.

What is the plural of itch?

The plural of itch is itches.

What is the past tense of itch?

The past tense of itch is itched. The present participle is itching.