scratch an itch

verb

To satisfy a need or desire.

“Near-synonyms: hit the spot, hit the button”

Similar
hit the spothit the button
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Meanings

verbscratch an itch (third-person singular simple present scratches an itch, present participle scratching an itch, simple past and past participle scratched an itch)

present singular third person scratches an itch · participle present scratching an itch · participle past scratched an itch · past scratched an itch

  1. idiomaticTo satisfy a need or desire.

    Near-synonyms: hit the spot, hit the button

    Synonyms: hit the spot, hit the button

  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see scratch, itch.

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo satisfy a need or desire.

Similar
hit the spothit the button
Also see
hit the spot
Cite this entry
APA

scratch an itch. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/scratch%20an%20itch

MLA

“scratch an itch.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/scratch%20an%20itch. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “scratch an itch,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/scratch%20an%20itch.

Source: scratch an itch on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.