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touch

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verb British English pronunciation: touch /tʌtʃ/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theytouch
he/she/ittouches
present participletouching
past tensetouched
past participletouched
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 meat or dairy products.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
  6. 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. 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. 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've got a criminal record.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
  9. 9
    [transitive] to reach a particular amount or level

    Police recorded him driving at speeds touching 120 miles per hour.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch
  10. 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. 11
    [transitive] [always in negatives] to be as good as someone or something else

    He is a great sportsman, but he can't touch his brother.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of touch

phrases

This is the British English definition of touch. View American English definition of touch.

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View the pronunciation for touch.

 

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