adjective

raw

Painfully sensitive from damage or irritation.

My throat feels raw after a long day of talking.

Etymology

Raw means uncooked or unprocessed. Injured skin is called raw when its protective surface is damaged, leaving exposed tissue that feels painfully tender.

More examples

The new shoes rub her heels raw.
His nose is raw from wiping it so often.
Soap stings the raw skin around the scrape.

Forms

raw · rawer · rawest

rawness noun — The condition of being sore or irritated.

Similar words

sore: Emphasizes aching or pain without implying a damaged surface.
tender: Emphasizes sensitivity to touch, even without visible surface damage.
irritated: Emphasizes inflammation or discomfort that may not be painful.