adjective
Common
touching
TUHT-shihng
Touching (adjective) means causing feelings of sadness, sympathy, or tenderness. Example: “The speech at the wedding was so touching that several guests cried.”
adjective
1
Causing feelings of sadness, sympathy, or tenderness.
"The speech at the wedding was so touching that several guests cried."
"The film's ending was genuinely touching."
"It was a touching tribute to her late father."
2
In physical contact with something.
"The two cars were almost touching when they parked in the narrow lane."
"Keep the plants apart, with no leaves touching the glass."
"The two wires were touching, causing a short circuit."
preposition
1
Concerning or regarding (formal/legal usage).
"The committee issued a report touching the safety of the old bridge."
"He made several remarks touching the matter of unpaid fees."
"The letter contained instructions touching the sale of the estate."
How to use touching
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that stirs emotion, or (in older/formal English) a word meaning "concerning."
When to use it
The preposition sense ("touching the matter of...") is formal and mostly found in legal or old-fashioned writing.
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Word forms
- Plural
- touchings
- Comparative
- more touching
- Superlative
- most touching
Fill the gap
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The speech at the wedding was so _____ that several guests cried.
Etymology
Formed from touch plus the suffix -ing.
Related words
Rhymes for touching
See all rhymes for touching →Frequently asked questions
What does “touching” mean?
The word “touching” means causing feelings of sadness, sympathy, or tenderness. In plain terms, something that stirs emotion, or (in older/formal English) a word meaning "concerning.".
How do you pronounce “touching”?
“Touching” is pronounced TUHT-shihng (/ˈtʌt͡ʃɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “touching” in a sentence?
Here is “touching” used in a sentence: “The film's ending was genuinely touching.”
What part of speech is “touching”?
Depending on how it is used, “touching” can be an adjective and a preposition.
Is “touching” a common word?
“Touching” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “touching” have?
“Touching” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: causing feelings of sadness, sympathy, or tenderness.
What is the difference between 'touching' and 'moving'?
Both describe things that stir the emotions, but 'touching' tends to emphasise gentle feelings of tenderness, sympathy, or mild sadness. 'Moving' is often stronger and broader, suggesting a deeper or more powerful emotional impact.
When is 'touching' used as a preposition?
As a preposition, 'touching' means concerning or regarding, and it is largely confined to formal or legal writing, as in 'questions touching the matter at hand'. In everyday English this use sounds archaic, and 'concerning', 'regarding', or 'about' are far more common.
What words commonly follow the adjective 'touching'?
As an adjective meaning emotionally affecting, 'touching' often precedes nouns like 'tribute', 'moment', 'gesture', 'story', and 'scene'. These pairings describe something that causes feelings of sadness, sympathy, or tenderness.
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