Itch — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈich/

Meaning & Definition of Itch

Itch (verb)

  1. to have an itch
  2. to produce an itchy sensation
  3. to have a restless desire or hankering for something

Itch (noun)

  1. an uneasy irritating sensation in the upper surface of the skin usually held to result from mild stimulation of pain receptors
  2. a skin disorder accompanied by such a sensation; especially, a contagious eruption caused by a mite (Sarcoptes scabiei) that burrows in the skin and causes intense itching
  3. a restless usually constant often compulsive desire

Itch (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. sexual appetite

    "had chaperones at the prom to discourage kids with an adolescent itch"

    similar: concupiscence, desire, eroticism, horniness, hots, lech, letch, libidinousness, lust, lustfulness, lustihood, passion, salaciousness
    related: libido, ardor, heat, rut, erotomania, hypersexuality, lecherousness, lechery, nymphomania, satyriasis, venery
    near: abstinence, celibacy, chastity, frigidity, frigidness

  2. a strong wish for something

    "has an itch to travel to far-off and exciting places"

    similar: appetency, appetite, craving, desire, drive, hankering, hunger, jones (slang), letch, longing, lust, passion, pining, thirst, thirstiness, urge, yearning, yen
    related: compulsion, impulse, impulsion, will, zeal, liking, love, taste, weakness, eagerness, impatience, want, wish, necessity, need, requirement, obsession, acquisitiveness, avarice, avariciousness, avidity, covetousness, cupidity, greed, greediness, rapaciousness, rapacity, cacoëthes, mania
    near: abhorrence, abomination, allergy, averseness, aversion, disfavor, disgust, disinclination, dislike, disliking, distaste, hatred, loathing, nausea, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion, apathy, indifference, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern

  3. intense sexual desire

    "sailors on shore leave looking to satisfy the itch"

    similar: ardor, concupiscence, eros, eroticism, horniness, lust, lustfulness, passion
    related: erotomania, nymphomania, satyriasis, lasciviousness, lewdness, libidinousness, licentiousness, lickerishness, randiness, salaciousness, wantonness
    near: frigidity

Itch (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts

    "don't let her snide put-downs and wisecracks itch you—just ignore her"

    similar: aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, eat, exasperate, frost, gall, get, grate, gripe, hack (off), irk, irritate, nark (British), nettle, peeve, persecute, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, vex, get one's goat, get on one's nerves, get to, rub the wrong way, set one's teeth on edge, stick in one's craw, wear on
    related: hassle, heckle, nag, inflame, provoke, rouse, badger, bait, bullyrag, devil, hagride, harass, harry, pester, plague, tease, anger, antagonize, enrage, incense, infuriate, madden, rankle, roil, agitate, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, distress, exercise, freak (out), fret, perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, worry, affront, insult, miff, offend, outrage
    near: appease, conciliate, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, propitiate, delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy, assure, cheer, comfort, console, content, quiet, reassure, solace, soothe

Related Entry: Itch (for) (verb)

Itch (for) is a different word from Itch. The synonyms below are for itch (for), not for itch.

  1. to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy

    "kids are itching for summer vacation"

    similar: ache (for), covet, crave, desiderate, desire, die (for), hanker (for or after), hunger (for), jones (for) (slang), long (for), lust (for or after), pant (after), pine (for), repine (for), salivate (for), sigh (for), thirst (for), want, wish (for), yearn (for), yen (for), set one's heart on
    related: spoil (for), adore, delight (in), dig, enjoy, fancy, groove (on), like, love, relish, revel (in), favor, prefer, admire, appreciate, cherish, prize, treasure, value
    near: abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe, decline, refuse, reject, spurn

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Itch

The most common words with a similar meaning to Itch:

Slang: jones
British: nark
concupiscence, desire, eroticism, horniness, hots, lech, letch, libidinousness, lust, lustfulness, lustihood, passion, salaciousness, appetency, appetite, craving, drive, hankering, hunger, longing, pining, thirst, thirstiness, urge, yearning, yen, ardor, eros, aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, eat, exasperate, frost, gall, get, grate

Related Words for Itch

libido, heat, rut, erotomania, hypersexuality, lecherousness, lechery, nymphomania, satyriasis, venery, compulsion, impulse, impulsion, will, zeal, liking, love, taste, weakness, eagerness, impatience, want, wish, necessity, need, requirement, obsession, acquisitiveness, avarice, avariciousness

Near Antonyms of Itch

abstinence, celibacy, chastity, frigidity, frigidness, abhorrence, abomination, allergy, averseness, aversion, disfavor, disgust, disinclination, dislike, disliking, distaste, hatred, loathing, nausea, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion, apathy, indifference, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern, appease, conciliate, mollify

Word Forms of Itch

Inflections: itched, itching, itches

Derived words: itchiness (noun), itchy (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Itch

Middle English icchen, from Old English giccan; akin to Old High German jucchen to itch

First known use: before 12th centuryi

Words & Phrases Containing Itch

jock itch, swimmer's itch, scratch the/an itch, scratch the/that itch

Frequently Asked Questions about Itch

What does "Itch" mean?

"Itch" means to have an itch. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to have an itch. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Itch"?

Other words for "Itch" include concupiscence, desire, eroticism, horniness, hots, lech, letch and libidinousness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Itch" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Itch"?

There are 151 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Itch". Common alternatives include concupiscence, desire, eroticism, horniness, hots, lech, letch, libidinousness, lust and lustfulness.

How do you use "Itch" in a sentence?

Examples of "Itch" in a sentence: "had chaperones at the prom to discourage kids with an adolescent itch"; "has an itch to travel to far-off and exciting places"; "sailors on shore leave looking to satisfy the itch".

Is "Itch" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Itch" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Itch"?

"Itch" is pronounced /ˈich/.

What is the origin of the word "Itch"?

"Itch" comes from Middle English icchen, from Old English giccan; akin to Old High German jucchen to itch. First known use: before 12th centuryi.

What is another word for "Itch" meaning "sexual appetite"?

When "Itch" (noun) means sexual appetite, synonyms include concupiscence, desire, eroticism, horniness, hots and lech.