touch

- definition

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Thesaurus

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verb

/tʌtʃ/

present tense
I/you/we/they	touch
he/she/it	touches
present participle	touching
past tense	touched
past participle	touched

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

more dictionary definitions

1
[transitive] to put your hand or part of your body on someone or something
Beth reached out and touched his cheek.
He was careful not to touch the blood.
touch something to something (=move something so that it touches something else):
"Be quiet!" she said, touching her finger to her lips.
He touched the napkin briefly to his chin.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
1. a.
  to press something in a light way with your finger or foot to make something work
  Kate touched a button and the machine whirred into action.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
2. b.
  to put your hand on someone's body in a sexual way
  It was the first time he had touched her.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
2
[intransitive/transitive] if two things touch, or if something touches something else, there is no space between them
The chair was so high that his feet couldn't touch the ground.
They stood next to each other, barely touching.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
3
[transitive] to affect your emotions, especially so that you feel sad or sympathetic
His comments really touched me.
He was touched by their suffering and offered to help.
touch someone's heart:
The plight of the orphans has touched the hearts of thousands of people.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
1. a.
  to feel grateful because someone has been very kind to you
  I was really touched by the flowers he sent.
  Eric was touched by her concern.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
4
[transitive] to change or influence someone or something in a positive way
She touched many people's lives through her charity work.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
1. a.
  [always in negatives] to change something in a way that is noticeable
  The old farmhouse has hardly been touched by modern trends.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
2. b.
  if an expression, especially a smile, touches your lips or eyes, you have it for a short time
  A trace of a smile touched her lips.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
5
[transitive] [always in negatives] to eat or drink a particular thing
She was so upset that she had barely touched her food.
I never touch alcohol.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
6
[transitive] [usually in negatives] to use something
Don't touch anything of mine while I'm away.
I haven't touched any of the money she left me.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
7
[transitive] [always in negatives] to work on something
I haven't touched the garden for weeks.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
8
[transitive] to deal with a particular subject, situation, etc.
I wouldn't touch such a difficult piece of work.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
1. a.
  to deal with or accept someone
  Most employers won't touch you if you have a criminal record.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
9
[transitive] to reach a particular amount or level
The police recorded him driving at speeds touching 120 miles per hour.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
10
[transitive] to hit or kick a ball in a game
He hardly touched the ball during the game.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
11
[transitive] [always in negatives] to be as good as someone or something else
He is a good golfer, but he can't touch his brother.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch

phrases

be touched by something
to be affected by a particular quality or feeling
He was suddenly touched by a strange sense of panic.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
touch a nerve
to upset someone, or to make them angry
Eileen's innocent remark seemed to have touched a nerve.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
touch wood
spoken
used when you have said that you have had good luck in order to prevent bad luck from happening to you. People sometimes touch something made of wood when they say this.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch

phrasal verbs

cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

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