itch (verb, noun) /ɪtʃ/ خوران

When your skin itches, it means that you feel a tingling irritation that makes you want to scratch. Everything that causes that feeling, like clothes for example, also itches. A bit confusing perhaps, but, informally, to itch also means to scratch something that itches. Figuratively, it also means ‘to have a strong desire to do something.’ As a noun, an itch is the sensation of itching skin and also a strong desire.

Example sentences

• My back itches; could you scratch it for me?
• Eugene hates sweaters that itch.
• Jane itched her head.
• It was a warm, sunny day and the schoolchildren were itching to get outside and play.
• Peter has an itch he can't quite reach and it is driving him mad.
• After years of not writing, the author has an itch to start a new book.

Words often used with itch

itchy feet: be restless, have trouble settling down. Example: “I hear Alex is off on his travels again; he always did have itchy feet.”

Other forms

itchy (adjective), itchily (adverb), itchiness (noun)