itch

/itʃ/
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itch

The child has an itch on his arm.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • An irritating skin sensation that causes a desire to scratch: An unpleasant feeling on the skin that makes you want to rub or scratch it.
    • A strong, restless desire or urge: A powerful feeling of wanting to do or have something.
    • A contagious skin infection (scabies): A medical condition caused by mites, characterized by intense itching and skin irritation.
  2. Verb (intransitive):

    • To feel an irritating skin sensation that causes a desire to scratch: To experience an itch.
    • To have a strong, restless desire: To feel a powerful urge to do something.
  3. Verb (transitive):

    • To cause an itching sensation: To make someone's skin feel itchy.
    • To scrape or rub (a surface) as if to relieve an itch: To scratch or rub something lightly.
Examples
  • Noun:

    • I have an itch on my back that I can't reach.
    • She has an itch to travel the world.
    • The doctor diagnosed him with the itch (scabies).
  • Verb (intransitive):

    • My mosquito bite itches terribly.
    • He is itching to tell everyone the good news.
  • Verb (transitive):

    • This wool sweater itches my neck.
    • The dog itched its ear against the door frame.
Advanced Usage
  • "to have an itch for something": to have a strong desire for something.

    • He's always had an itch for adventure.
  • "to itch to do something": to be very eager to do something.

    • The team was itching to get back on the field after their loss.
Variants and Related Words
  • Itchy (adj): causing or having an itch.

    • This tag makes my shirt feel itchy.
  • Itchiness (n): the state or condition of being itchy.

    • The rash caused severe itchiness.
Synonyms
  • Noun (sensation): Tingling, prickling.
  • Noun (desire): Craving, yearning, longing.
  • Verb (to feel itchy): Tingle, prickle.
  • Verb (to desire): Yearn, long, ache.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions
  • Itch for: to desire something strongly.
    • The audience was itching for the concert to begin.
Related Idioms
  • "to scratch an itch": to satisfy a desire or need.

    • Reading a good mystery novel scratches my itch for a puzzle.
  • "Seven-year itch": a supposed tendency to infidelity after seven years of marriage.

    • Their marriage survived the so-called seven-year itch.
itch

The child has an itch on his arm.

Noun
  1. an irritating cutaneous sensation that produces a desire to scratch
  2. a strong restless desire
    • why this urge to travel?
  3. a contagious skin infection caused by the itch mite; characterized by persistent itching and skin irritation
    • he has a bad case of the itch
Verb
  1. have a strong desire or urge to do something
    • She is itching to start the project
    • He is spoiling for a fight
  2. cause to perceive an itch
    • his skin itched
  3. have or perceive an itch
    • I'm itching--the air is so dry!
  4. scrape or rub as if to relieve itching
    • Don't scratch your insect bites!