Scratchy describes something that feels rough and irritating against your skin, like a wool sweater with stiff fibers that poke and bother you. New jeans can feel scratchy until they've been washed a few times. A scratchy blanket might make you want to push it away rather than snuggle into it.

The word also describes sounds that are rough and harsh rather than smooth. An old recording might sound scratchy with pops and crackles. When you have a sore throat, your voice can become scratchy, sounding raspy and unpleasant instead of clear. A scratchy sound on the radio means the signal isn't coming through cleanly.

Both meanings share the same basic idea: something that should be smooth or pleasant but instead feels or sounds rough and uncomfortable. When you describe something as scratchy, you're usually explaining why you want to avoid it or change it, like asking for a softer shirt or adjusting the radio dial.