adjectiveWord forms: ˈscrabblier or ˈscrabbliest Informal
1.
having a scratching sound
2.
scrubby, paltry, poor, etc.
scrabbly in American English
(ˈskræbli)
adjectiveWord forms: -blier, -bliest
1.
insignificantly small or sparse
scrabbly tufts of grass sprouting from the parched lawn
2.
scratchy; raspy
Word origin
[1940–45; scrabble + -y1]This word is first recorded in the period 1940–45. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Rh factor, debrief, set-aside, silkscreen, zap-y is a native English suffix of adjectives meaning “characterized by or inclined to”the substance or action of the word or stem to which the suffix is attached. Otherwords that use the affix -y include: dreamy, grouchy, juicy, rumbly