touch
tuhch
Touch (verb) means to make physical contact with something using the hand, finger, or another part of the body. Example: “The toddler wanted to touch the cat's fur, but it ran away.”
verb
1
To make physical contact with something using the hand, finger, or another part of the body.
"The toddler wanted to touch the cat's fur, but it ran away."
"She reached out to touch the soft fabric."
"Don't touch the wet paint."
2
To affect someone emotionally, often causing tenderness or sympathy.
"The old man's story touched me so much that I almost cried."
"His kind words touched everyone in the room."
"I was deeply touched by the generosity of strangers."
3
To mention or deal with a topic briefly, without going into full detail.
"In her speech the manager touched briefly on next year's plans before taking questions."
"We only touched upon the history of the town during the tour."
"The report only touches on the causes of the delay."
4
To concern or have relevance to someone or something.
"The closure of the bridge touches everyone who commutes into the city."
"Changes to the school timetable touch families across the whole area."
"This new policy touches every department in the company."
noun
1
The sense that allows you to feel things by physical contact.
"Braille relies entirely on the sense of touch."
"Cats use touch through their whiskers to sense their surroundings."
"Losing her sense of touch made it hard to feel the temperature."
2
A small amount or slight degree of something.
"There was a touch of frost on the grass this morning."
"He answered with a touch of sarcasm in his voice."
"Add just a touch of salt to the sauce."
3
Communication or contact with someone.
"Please keep in touch while you are travelling around Europe."
"I'll get in touch with the plumber tomorrow morning."
"We've lost touch since she moved abroad."
How to use touch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMaking physical contact with something, or more broadly, affecting someone emotionally or being in contact/communication with them.
Common mistake
In "touch base" and "keep in touch," touch refers to communication, not physical contact — don't read these literally.
Common pairings
touch base
in touch
keep in touch
a touch of
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Word forms
- Plural
- touches
- Third person singular
- touches
- Past tense
- touched, toucht
- Archaic forms
- touchest, touchedst, toucheth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The toddler wanted to _____ the cat's fur, but it ran away.
Etymology
From Old French tochier ("to touch"), traced back through Vulgar Latin and Frankish roots meaning "to strike" or "to grasp" — the same deep root that gave English the word "tuck."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for touch
See all rhymes for touch →Frequently asked questions
What does “touch” mean?
The word “touch” means to make physical contact with something using the hand, finger, or another part of the body. In plain terms, making physical contact with something, or more broadly, affecting someone emotionally or being in contact/communication with them.
How do you pronounce “touch”?
“Touch” is pronounced tuhch (/tʌt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “touch” in a sentence?
Here is “touch” used in a sentence: “She reached out to touch the soft fabric.”
What part of speech is “touch”?
Depending on how it is used, “touch” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “touch” come from?
The word “touch” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Old French tochier ("to touch"), traced back through Vulgar Latin and Frankish roots meaning "to strike" or "to grasp" — the same deep root that gave English the word "tuck.".
Is “touch” a common word?
“Touch” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “touch” have?
“Touch” has 7 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make physical contact with something using the hand, finger, or another part of the body.
What is the difference between touch and feel?
Touch is the act of making physical contact — your hand meets an object. Feel is the perception that can follow: sensing texture, warmth, or pressure through that contact. You can touch something without paying attention, but to feel it is to notice the sensation. Touch is the action; feel is the awareness.
Is touch one of the five senses?
Yes. Touch is one of the five traditional senses, alongside sight, hearing, taste, and smell. It works through receptors in the skin that detect pressure, temperature, pain, and vibration. Unlike the others, touch is spread across the whole body rather than concentrated in one organ, making it the largest sensory system.
What is an example of touch?
Touch covers any physical contact: tapping a screen, shaking hands, stroking a pet, or resting a hand on someone's shoulder. It can be light or firm, deliberate or accidental. Brushing against a wall as you pass is touching it just as much as pressing a button intentionally.
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