noun
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the event of something coming in contact with the body (syn: touching)he longed for the touch of her hand
the cooling touch of the night air
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the faculty by which external objects or forces are perceived through contact with the body (especially the hands)only sight and touch enable us to locate objects in the space around us
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a suggestion of some quality (syn: ghost, trace)there was a touch of sarcasm in his tone
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a distinguishing style (syn: signature)this room needs a woman's touch
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the act of putting two things together with no space between them (syn: touching)at his touch the room filled with lights
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a slight but appreciable amount (syn: hint, jot, mite, pinch, speck, tinge)this dish could use a touch of garlic
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a communicative interaction (syn: contact)he got in touch with his colleagues
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a slight attack of illness (syn: spot)he has a touch of rheumatism
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the act of soliciting money (as a gift or loan)he watched the beggar trying to make a touch
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the sensation produced by pressure receptors in the skin (syn: feeling)she likes the touch of silk on her skin
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deftness in handling mattershe has a master's touch
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the feel of mechanical actionthis piano has a wonderful touch
verb
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make physical contact with, come in contact withShe never touched her husband
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perceive via the tactile senseHelen Keller felt the physical world by touching people and objects around her
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affect emotionally (syn: stir)I was touched by your kind letter of sympathy
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be relevant to (syn: bear on, come to, concern, pertain, refer, relate, touch on)-
be in direct physical contact with; make contact (syn: adjoin, contact, meet)The two buildings touch
Their hands touched
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have an effect upon (syn: affect, bear on, impact, touch on)-
deal with; usually used with a form of negationI wouldn't touch her with a ten-foot pole
The local Mafia won't touch gambling
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cause to be in brief contact withHe touched his toes to the horse's flanks
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to extend as far as (syn: reach)The chair must not touch the wall
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be equal to in quality or ability (syn: equal, match, rival)Your performance doesn't even touch that of your colleagues
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tamper with (syn: disturb)Don't touch my CDs!
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make a more or less disguised reference to (syn: advert, allude)-
comprehendHe could not touch the meaning of the poem
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consume (syn: partake)She didn't touch her food all night
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color lightly (syn: tinge, tint)Extra examples
Please do not touch the statue.
Slowly bend forward and try to touch your toes.
He tried to touch the snake with a stick.
The top of the Christmas tree almost touches the ceiling.
Sparks flew when the wires touched each other.
They were standing side-by-side with their shoulders touching.
Sparks flew when the wires touched.
Their house burned to the ground, but the house next door wasn't touched by the fire.
Blind since birth, she relies on her sense of touch to read braille.
The plate was hot to the touch.
He has not touched food for two days.
I couldn't touch anything.
Those spheres of knowledge often touch.
A part of the road touched the river.
His actions touch on treason.
Phrasal verbs
touch down
— come or bring (a plane) to a landing
touch off
— put in motion or move to act
touch on
— refer to or discuss briefly
touch up
— alter so as to produce a more desirable appearance
Word forms
verb
I/you/we/they: touch
he/she/it: touches
present participle: touching
past tense: touched
past participle: touched
noun
singular: touch
plural: touches
