# itchy

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈɪt͡ʃi/ · frequency rank #18,599

## Definitions
1. Characterized by itching. (of a condition)
2. Feeling an itching sensation; feeling a need to be scratched. (of a person, animal or body part)
3. Causing an itching sensation.
4. In a state of agitation; easily alarmed.
5. Having a constant, teasing desire (for something, to do something); impatiently eager.
6. Causing a constant, teasing desire for something.
7. Feeling or showing a high level of sexual interest.

## Etymology
From Middle English *yicchy, *ȝicchi, from Old English ġiċċiġ (“itchy”), equivalent to itch + -y. Cognate with Scots yeukie (“itchy”), West Frisian jokkerich (“itchy”), Dutch jeukachtig and jeukerig (“itchy”).

## Easily confused with
- **ith** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/itchy-vs-ith)
- **itty** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/itchy-vs-itty)
- **icy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icy-vs-itchy)
- **ich** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ich-vs-itchy)
- **ITC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/itc-vs-itchy)
- **inch** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inch-vs-itchy)
- **itch** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/itch-vs-itchy)
- **icky** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/icky-vs-itchy)
- **Italy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/italy-vs-itchy)

## Common misspellings (8)
`icthy`, `itcchy`, `itchhy`, `itchyy`, `itcyh`, `ithcy`, `ittchy`, `tichy`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/itchy