What does itched mean?
Itched is the past tense and past participle of itch. In its literal sense, it describes a tickling, irritating, or uncomfortable sensation in the skin, as in saying that a rash itched all over. Itched also has informal figurative uses: to itch to do something means to feel a strong eagerness to do it, while a person or situation can be said to be itched by a particular issue when it causes persistent annoyance. The word is common in both British and American English and is especially natural in descriptions of physical discomfort and informal expressions of enthusiasm or irritation. Although “itch” and “itchy” are closely related, “itched” functions as a verb form, while “itchy” normally functions as an adjective.
To experience a tickling or irritating sensation in the skin.
"The wool made my arms itch all afternoon."
The past tense and past participle are “itched.”
Informally, to feel a strong eagerness or urge to do something.
"The children itched to go to the fair."
Common in informal English, especially in the expression “itch to do something.”
Informally, to feel bothered or irritated by something.
"The whole team itched to correct the error immediately."
This use is informal and less common than the eagerness sense.
Itched can mean that your skin is bothering you—or that you are intensely eager to do something: the whole house itched to see the new puppy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does itched come from?
The word comes from the Old English giccan, meaning “to itch,” and is related to cognates in other Germanic languages. Modern English developed the noun “itch” from a related Old English form, gicca, while the adjective “itchy” and the verb form “itching” were formed within English. The informal sense of feeling eager or bothered developed by extension from the physical sensation of itching.
Related word forms
How itched is actually used
The physical sense is neutral and standard. The meanings involving eagerness or irritation are informal and especially common in everyday speech.
Easily confused with itched
Itched is the past tense or past participle of the verb itch, whereas itchy is an adjective describing a sensation of itching.