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

Actress Jenny Mollen is itching to make sure everyone knows she didn’t realize she had head lice until she was already on her recent five-hour flight.

From Los Angeles Times

Krueger, an independent housing economist in Los Angeles, said the magic number may be closer to 5%: “That would free up those owners who are itching to move and release more listings,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

When her skin started itching in 2012, she went to her GP.

From BBC

The crowds started to increase in 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic, when people itching to get outside flocked to the beach in search of a safer way to congregate.

From Los Angeles Times

She’s “thrilled and itching” to then start rehearsals for her October to January run of “Oedipus” in London’s West End opposite Mark Strong.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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