itching

[ ich-ing ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by an irritating sensation of the skin.
2. of, relating to, or having a longing or desire to do or have something:

   An itching public anxiously awaits her announcement.

3. characterized by restlessness or the desire for adventure or activity:

   an itching impulse to travel.

4. characterized by the desire to grasp; grasping; an itching palm open for a bribe.

noun

1. itch.

Other Words From

• itching·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of itching¹

before 1000; Middle English ( y ) ichinge, ( y ) itchinge (noun, adj.); replacing Old English giccende (adj.). See itch, -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

But we’re itching to get back to regular concerts.

From Los Angeles Times

He may feel the need to reintroduce Ryan Baird and Craig Casey, who were unlucky to miss out on the matchday squad, while Calvin Nash - who ably deputised for the injured Mack Hansen in the Six Nations - will be itching for another chance.

From BBC

That's the year potentially vulnerable Republicans and open seats in Maine, North Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky are up for election; in 2028, Democrats will also be itching to defeat Wisconsin's other senator, right-wing firebrand Ron Johnson.

From Salon

More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has once again brought newcomers to survivalist schools, as people have been itching to leave the house.

From Slate

Half the people down here look like they’re itching to tell you all about how CrossFit changed their lives, and the other half seem too strung-out to even contemplate lifting a kettlebell.

From Slate

Related Words

• awful
• disgusting
• disturbing
• eerie
• frightening
• ghoulish
• macabre
• menacing
• ominous
• sinister
• terrifying
• weird