touch
[verb]
Synonyms:
- handle, brush, caress, contact, feel, finger, fondle, stroke, tap
- meet, abut, adjoin, be in contact, border, contact, graze, impinge upon
- affect, disturb, impress, influence, inspire, move, stir
- eat, consume, drink, partake of
- match, compare with, equal, hold a candle to (informal), parallel, rival
- touch on: refer to, allude to, bring in, cover, deal with, mention, speak of
[noun]
Synonyms:
- feeling, handling, physical contact
- tap, brush, contact, pat, stroke
- bit, dash, drop, jot, small amount, smattering, soupçon, spot, trace
- style, manner, method, technique, trademark, way

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Related Idioms: touch a chord
Related Words: brush, graze, caress, fondle, rub, stroke, toy (with), palm, thumb, examine, inspect, probe, scrutinize, investigate, arouse, stir, excite, quicken, stimulate, come (to), verge (on), junction, communication, pat, contact, feeling, manner, style, way

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English Thesaurus: touch, feel, handle, finger, rub, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. touch¹ S2 W2 /tʌtʃ/ verb
[Word Family: adjective: touched, untouched, touching, touchy, untouchable; noun: touch, untouchable; verb: touch; adverb: touchingly]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: tuchier, from Vulgar Latin toccare 'to knock, hit a bell, touch'; from the sound]

1. FEEL [transitive] to put your hand, finger etc on someone or something:
She reached out to touch his arm.
If your house has been burgled, you shouldn’t touch anything until the police arrive.
‘Don’t touch me!’ she yelled.
touch somebody on the arm/leg etc
A hand touched her on the shoulder.

2. NO SPACE BETWEEN [intransitive and transitive] if two things touch, or one thing touches another thing, they reach each other so that there is no space between them:
As our glasses touched, he said ‘Cheers!’
Her dress was so long that it was touching the ground.

3. touch something to something literary to move something so that it reaches something else with no space between the two things:
She touched the handkerchief to her nose.
He touched his lips to her hair.

4. AFFECT SB’S FEELINGS [transitive] to affect someone’s emotions, especially by making them feel sympathy or sadness:
Her plight has touched the hearts of people around the world.
She could sense his concern and it touched her. ⇒ touched, touching¹

5. HAVE AN EFFECT [transitive] to have an effect on someone or something, especially by changing or influencing them:
He has touched the lives of many people.
Unemployment remains an evil that touches the whole community.
He was often touched by doubt (=doubt affected him).

6. USE [transitive usually in negatives] to use or handle something:
The law doesn’t allow him to touch any of the money.
It’s a long time since I’ve touched a piano.

7. not touch something
a) to not eat or drink something:
What’s wrong? You’ve hardly touched your food.
My grandfather was an alcoholic but I never touch the stuff (=never drink alcohol).
b) to not deal with something that you should deal with:
I brought home loads of work, but I haven’t touched any of it yet.

8. not touch somebody/something to not hurt someone or not damage something:
The older boys swore they hadn’t touched the child.
Parma had not been touched.

9. DEAL WITH SOMEBODY/SOMETHING [transitive] to become involved with or deal with a particular problem, situation, or person:
He was the only lawyer who would touch the case.
Everything he touches turns to disaster.
No school would touch a teacher who had been convicted of assault.

10. REACH AN AMOUNT [transitive] especially British English to reach a particular amount or level:
At the time, the unemployment rate was touching 10 percent and rising.

11. HIT/KICK [transitive] British English to gently hit or kick a ball – used especially in reports of sports games:
Evans was just able to touch the ball away from Wilkinson.

12. not touch something/somebody (with a bargepole) British English, not touch something/somebody with a ten-foot pole American English used to say that you think someone or something is bad and people should not be involved with them:
I wouldn’t touch him with a bargepole.
Financial analysts have warned investors not to touch these offers with a ten-foot pole.

13. be touched with something literary to have a small amount of a particular quality:
His voice was touched with the faintest of Italian accents.
Her nails had been manicured and lightly touched with colour.

14. EXPRESSION [transitive] if an expression such as a smile touches your face, your face has that expression for a short time:
A smile touched her lips.

15. RELATE TO SOMETHING [transitive] to be about or to deal with a particular subject, situation, or problem:
Though the question touched a new vein, Nelson answered promptly.
The discourse touches many of the issues which are currently popular.

16. LIGHT [transitive] literary if light touches something, it shines on it:
The sun was just touching the tops of the mountains.

17. nothing/no one can touch somebody/something used for saying that nothing or no one is as good as a particular person or thing:
He describes the events with a passion that no other writer can touch.

18. touch base (with somebody) to talk to someone in order to find out how they are or what is happening:
I just wanted to touch base and make sure you hadn’t changed your mind about seeing me.

19. touch bottom
a) to reach the ground at the bottom of a sea, river etc:
He swam down but could not touch bottom.
b) to reach the lowest level or worst condition:
The housing market has touched bottom.
⇒ touch a (raw) nerve at nerve¹(6), ⇒ touch wood at wood(3)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. touch² S2 W2 noun
[Word Family: adjective: touched, untouched, touching, touchy, untouchable; noun: touch, untouchable; verb: touch; adverb: touchingly]

1. TOUCHING SOMEBODY/SOMETHING [countable usually singular] the action of putting your hand, finger, or another part of your body on something or someone:
She felt a gentle touch on her shoulder.
touch of
He remembered the touch of her fingers on his face.

2. ABILITY TO FEEL THINGS [uncountable] the sense that you use to discover what something feels like, by putting your hand or fingers on it:
the sense of touch
by touch
Visually impaired people orient themselves by touch.
Bake the cake for 30 minutes until risen and firm to the touch.

3. in touch (with somebody) talking or writing to someone:
We’ll get in touch (=start talking or writing to you) as soon as we know the results of the test.
Can I have your phone number in case I need to get in touch with you?
Bye. I’ll be in touch.
Are you still in touch with John (=are you talking to him regularly)?
I’m in close touch with Anna.
stay/keep in touch (=keep writing or talking, even though you do not see each other often)
Anyway, we must stay in touch.
I met him when I worked in Madrid, and I’ve kept in touch with him ever since.
I lost touch with (=stopped writing or talking to) Julie after we moved.
I can put you in touch with a local photography club (=give you their address or phone number so you can talk to them).

4. be/keep/stay etc in touch (with something) to have the latest information or knowledge about something:
A regular newsletter keeps people in touch with local events.
The speech was good and you felt he was in touch with people’s needs.
Rescuers were kept in touch through radio links.
A head-teacher needs to remain in close touch with teachers’ everyday concerns.

5. be out of touch
a) (also lose touch (with something)) to not have the latest knowledge about a subject, situation, or the way people feel
be out of touch with
I’m out of touch with modern medicine.
The party cannot afford to lose touch with political reality.
b) to not know much about modern life:
Judges are often accused of being out of touch.

6. get in touch with something especially American English to realize and understand something such as your feelings and attitudes:
The first stage is to get in touch with your perceptions and accept responsibility for your relationships.

7. DETAIL/ADDITION [countable] a small detail that improves or completes something
put the final/finishing touches to something
Emma was putting the finishing touches to the cake.
There was a vase of flowers in the room, which was a nice touch.
Brass pans added a decorative touch to the plain brick wall.

8. WAY OF DOING SOMETHING [countable] a particular way of doing something, or the ability to do it in a particular way:
The room was decorated with a very artistic touch.
Our staff combine efficient service with a personal touch (=they do things in a friendly way).
The feminine touch was evident throughout the house.
His sure touch (=confident way of doing things) and attention to detail are just as evident now.
Barbara has a magic touch in the garden (=she grows things very well).
King obviously hasn’t lost his touch (=lost his ability) – his latest book sold in the millions.

9. a touch of something a small amount of something:
Our furniture is guaranteed to add a touch of class to your bedroom.
Add a lace top for a touch of glamour.
‘What?’ asked Hazel, with a touch of irritation.

10. a touch disappointed/faster/impatient etc slightly disappointed, faster etc:
He sounded a touch upset when I spoke to him on the phone.

11. with/at the touch of a button/key used to emphasize that something can be done very easily by pressing a button:
This card allows you to access your money at the touch of a button.
You can get all the latest information with the touch of a button.

12. a soft/easy touch informal if someone is a soft or an easy touch, you can easily persuade them to do what you want, especially give you money

13. WAY SOMETHING FEELS [countable usually singular] the way that something feels and the effect it has on your skin:
the warm touch of his lips

14. SOCCER/RUGBY [uncountable] the area outside the lines that mark the playing area
into touch
The ball rolled into touch.
⇒ common touch at common¹(13), ⇒ a/the human touch at human¹(5), ⇒ kick something into touch at kick¹(11), ⇒ lose your touch at lose(1), ⇒ magic touch at magic²(5), ⇒ Midas touch, ⇒ a soft touch at soft(17)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

touch
noun
I. act of touching sb/sth
ADJ. delicate, gentle, light, slight The slightest touch will set off the alarm.
PREP. at sb/sth's ~ The door swung open at his touch. You can now do your shopping at the touch of a button.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

touch
II. small detail
ADJ. final, finishing | decorative, festive, homely, romantic The family photos give the room a homely touch.
humorous | classy, lovely, nice, professional Giving her flowers was a nice touch.
feminine, human, idiosyncratic, individual, personal | little The decor includes many idiosyncratic little touches.
VERB + TOUCH add, give sth, put She's just putting the finishing touches to her painting.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

touch
III. particular ability
ADJ. golden, magic | deft, sure With students she had a sure touch and showed great personal sensitivity.
light He handles this controversial subject with a light touch.
political He found his old political touch when the crisis emerged.
VERB + TOUCH find | lose Maybe the champion is losing her magic touch.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

touch
IV. small amount of sth
ADJ. little, subtle | welcome
VERB + TOUCH add, bring Her speech brought a welcome touch of humour to the evening.
PREP. with a ~ of ‘Thanks,’ she said, with a touch of sarcasm.
~ of

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

touch
V. contact
ADJ. close The security staff were in close touch with the local police.
VERB + TOUCH get in I'm trying to get in touch with Jane. Do you have her number?
keep in, stay in It is important to keep in touch with the latest research. Let's keep in touch.
put sb in I'll put you in touch with someone in your area.
lose I've lost touch with all my old friends.
PREP. in ~ Are you still in touch with your friends from college?
out of ~ This government is increasingly out of touch with ordinary voters.
~ with

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

touch
verb
I. put your hand on sb/sth; be in contact with sb/sth
ADV. (not) actually, not even, not quite He did not actually touch the substance, but may have inhaled microparticles.
barely, hardly, scarcely You've hardly touched your food (= not eaten it).
almost, nearly, practically Their faces were almost touching.
just | briefly His fingers briefly touched hers.
gently, lightly | gingerly | accidentally, inadvertently He accidentally touched a live wire attached to overhead power cables.
never He said I kicked him, but I never touched him!
VERB + TOUCH want to | (not) dare (to) Don't you dare touch me!
reach out to Her hand reached out to touch his cheek.
let sb He wouldn't let me touch the wound.
PREP. on He touched her gently on the arm.
with She touched him with her hand.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

touch
II. make sb feel a strong emotion
ADV. deeply The story touched me very deeply.
PHRASAL VERBS touch on/upon sth
ADV. briefly | just, merely Photojournalism and the birth of photography are merely touched on in the book.
VERB + TOUCH want to I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

touch
I.
noun
BAD: It is good to go out to work because you get in touch with other people.
GOOD: It is good to go out to work because you come into contact with other people.

Usage Note:
get in touch with = communicate with (someone) by letter or telephone: 'Don't wait until Christmas before you get in touch.' 'Mrs Taylor wants you to get in touch with her.'
come into contact with = meet: 'In my profession I come into contact with a lot of teachers.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

touch
II.
verb
BAD: People living in the city were not touched by the famine.
GOOD: People living in the city were not affected by the famine.

Usage Note:
When you mean 'have an effect on', use affect (NOT touch ): 'How will these new taxes affect people on low incomes?' 'Farms in the south of the country have been seriously affected by the drought.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

touch to put your fingers or hand onto someone or something for a very short time:
Don’t touch the iron – it’s hot!
feel to touch something with your fingers in order to find out about it:
Feel how soft this material is.
I felt his forehead. It was cold.
handle to touch something and pick it up and hold it in your hands:
Children should always wash their hands before handling food.
The glass was very fragile, and she handled it with great care.
Please do not handle the merchandise.
finger to touch or handle something with your fingers, especially while you are thinking of other things:
She fingered the heavy necklace around her neck.
rub to move your hand over a surface while pressing it:
Bob rubbed his eyes and yawned.
scratch to rub part of your body with your nails, often because it ITCHES:
The dog kept scratching its ear.
Bob scratched his head thoughtfully.
tickle to move your fingers lightly over someone’s body in order to make them laugh:
The baby giggled as I tickled him.
grope to touch someone’s body in a sexual way when they do not want to be touched:
The officer was accused of groping several women in his platoon.
stroke to move your hand gently over something, especially in a loving way:
She stroked the child’s hair.
Our cat won’t let people stroke him.
pat to touch an animal or child lightly several times, with your hand flat:
He knelt down to pat the dog.
She patted the little boy’s head.
pet to touch and move your hand gently over someone, especially an animal or child:
The goats, pigs, sheep, and cows here allow you to pet them.
caress /kəˈres/ to gently touch a part of someone’s body in a loving way:
a mother caressing her child
She caressed his cheek.
fondle to touch a part of someone’s body in a loving or sexual way – use this especially about touching someone in a sexual way that is not wanted:
He tried to fondle her and she immediately pulled away from him.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

touch
tʌtʃ
See: common touch , in touch , lose touch , out of touch

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲