To save this word, you'll need to log in.
\ ˈtəch 
\
\touched; touching; touches
Definition of touch
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to bring a bodily part into contact with especially so as to perceive through the tactile sense : handle or feel gently usually with the intent to understand or appreciate
loved to touch the soft silk
2a : to put hands upon in any way or degree
don't touch anything before the police come especially : to commit violence upon swears he never touched the child
b : to take into the hands or mouth
never touches alcohol
3 : to strike or push lightly especially with the hand or foot or an implement
4 : to cause to be briefly in contact or conjunction with something
touched her spurs to the horse touched his hand to his hat
5 : to deal with : become involved with
a sticky situation and I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole
b : to rival in quality or value
nothing can touch that cloth for durability
c : to be tangent to
7 : to speak or tell of especially in passing
barely touched the incident in the speech
9a : to move to sympathetic feeling
b : to hurt the feelings of : wound
10a : to leave a mark or impression on
few reagents will touch gold also : tinge
c : to give a delicate tint, line, or expression to
a smile touched her lips
d : to get a hit off or score a run against
touched him for three runs
11 : to draw or delineate with light strokes
12 : to induce to give or lend
touched him for ten dollars
13 : to lay hands upon (one afflicted with scrofula) with intent to heal
14 archaic
a : to play on (a stringed instrument)
b : to perform (a melody) by playing or singing
1a : to feel something with a body part (such as the hand or foot)
b : to lay hand or finger on a person to cure disease (such as scrofula)
2 : to be in contact
3 : to come close : verge your actions touch on treason
4a : to treat a topic in a brief or casual manner
—used with on or upontouched upon many points
b : to make a brief or incidental stop on shore during a trip by water
touched at several ports
5 : to have a bearing : relate —used with on or upon
touch base
: to come in contact or communication
coming in from the cold to touch base with civilization— Carla Hunt
touch
nounDefinition of touch (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : the act or fact of touching also : the act or an instance of handling or controlling a ball (as in basketball or soccer)
2 : the special sense by which pressure or traction exerted on the skin or mucous membrane is perceived
3 : a specified sensation that arises in response to stimulation of the tactile receptors : feel the velvety touch of velour
4a : a light stroke, tap, or push
b : a hit against an opponent in fencing
5a : an effective and subtle detail
applies the finishing touches to the story
b : distinctive and often effective manner or method
the touch of a master
c : a characteristic or distinguishing trait or quality
6 : mental or moral sensitiveness, responsiveness, or tact
has a wonderful touch with children
7 : something slight of its kind: such as
a : a light attack
a touch of fever
b : a small quantity or indication : hint a touch of spring in the air
c : a transient emotion
a momentary touch of compunction
d : a near approach : close call beaten in the championships by a mere touch
8 : the state or fact of being in contact or communication or of having awareness
lost touch with her cousin let's keep in touch out of touch with modern times
10 : control of the hands: such as
a : a manner or method of touching or striking especially the keys of a keyboard instrument
b : ability to precisely control the path and speed of a shot or pass
a great shooting touch
11 : the area outside of the touchlines in soccer or outside of and including the touchlines in rugby
the ball went into touch
12a : particular action of a keyboard with reference to the resistance of its keys to pressure
piano with a stiff touch
b archaic : the playing of an instrument (such as a lute or piano) with the fingers also : musical notes or strains so produced
14 : a set of changes in change ringing that is less than a peal
15 slang : an act of soliciting or getting a gift or loan
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from touch
Verb
touchable \ ˈtə-chə-bəl \ adjective
\ adjectivetoucher noun
Examples of touch in a Sentence
Verb
Please do not touch the statue.
Slowly bend forward and try to touch your toes.
He tried to touch the snake with a stick.
The top of the Christmas tree almost touches the ceiling.
Sparks flew when the wires touched each other.
They were standing side-by-side with their shoulders touching.
Sparks flew when the wires touched.
Their house burned to the ground, but the house next door wasn't touched by the fire. Noun
Blind since birth, she relies on her sense of touch to read braille.
The plate was hot to the touch.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Actually, don't eat chocolate and then touch your face.
—
Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, "New Research Finds Link Between Acne and Fatty, Sugary Foods in Diet," 10 July 2020 Any time a server has to remind a customer to wear a mask or not touch her shoulder, that is a failure of public policy.
—
Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, "What can we do to save the restaurant industry? Why is it ours to save?," 6 July 2020 This is a fine time to enjoy the great outdoors, tidy up around your castle, or touch base with those who may feel isolated.
—
Ed Silverman, STAT, "Pharmalittle: BioNTech expects to seek approval for vaccine by year-end; why the FDA chose a 50% threshold for Covid-19 vaccines," 10 July 2020 The group did not push or touch Lopez, the detective added.
—
Billy Kobin, The Courier-Journal, "Accused Louisville protest shooter told police 'that people were coming after him'," 9 July 2020 Don't touch the front of your mask -- it could be contaminated.
—
Scottie Andrew, CNN, "Masks are effective only if you wear them properly. Here's the right (and wrong) way," 7 July 2020 Every step of the way, France and his editors worked on encryption drives, and never let their original footage with real faces touch the internet or even a computer that had previously been connected to the internet.
—
Washington Post, "Using ‘face doubles,’ new HBO doc captures LGBTQ purge," 30 June 2020 Nature lovers wishing to see -- not touch -- the graceful native shrub can visit Lake Kelso in Burton Wetlands, which is maintained by the Geauga Park District.
—
cleveland, "Poison ivy and other pesky plants can turn summer fun into a season of suffering," 30 June 2020 Spirit is based in Florida, has a hub at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and about half of its flights touch the state.
—
Dawn Gilbertson, USA TODAY, "Spirit adding summer flights, CEO says 'too early to tell' if coronavirus surge grounds travelers again," 27 June 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Lindblom played most of the previous five years in the Korean Baseball Organization and stays in touch with players from the States who still play there.
—
Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Brewers ready to advance to 'World Series' play during intrasquad action at Summer Camp," 11 July 2020 Though Schulman died in 2013 at age 91, Ebert is now in touch with his children, and the group will soon meet over video chat.
—
Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE.com, "Auschwitz Survivor to Meet with Family of Soldier Who Gave Her Special Gift After Liberation," 10 July 2020 The school district will provide electronic devices or internet access to students who need it, Maika said, promising Castle Hills families that Principal Betsy Asheim would be in touch with details.
—
Alia Malik, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio area’s only ‘year-round’ neighborhood school will open virtually," 9 July 2020 Health officials say contact tracers have been in touch with about two-thirds of people in the state who’ve been infected by the coronavirus and their close contacts.
—
USA TODAY, "Nail salons, strip club outbreak, Harvard from afar: News from around our 50 states," 8 July 2020 Those efforts included putting the tenants on a payment plan, reducing the rent or putting them in touch with resources that can help with rent payments, the release said.
—
Julia Fair, The Enquirer, "'Tenants have literally thumbed their nose.' NKY landlords sue Beshear to resume evictions paused by the COVID-19 pandemic," 7 July 2020 Suzanne Plunkett, the Associated Press photographer who snapped the shot, wrote that she's been in touch with two of the people in the photo, but Cooper was not among them.
—
CBS News, "Man fleeing debris in iconic 9/11 photo dies from coronavirus," 6 July 2020 Make a wise assessment of your financial goals. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Weekends may give everyone a chance to unwind and get in touch with their feelings.
—
oregonlive, "Horoscope for July 4, 2020: Gemini, take pride in patriotic events; Aquarius, expect unexpected visitors," 4 July 2020 Get in touch with your inner performer starting July 22, when the Sun makes his way into his favourite sign, Leo.
—
Venus Australis, refinery29.com, "Your July Horoscope," 1 July 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'touch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for touch
touch
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of touch
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to put your hand, fingers, etc., on someone or something
: to be in contact with (something)
: to change or move (something)
touch
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of touch (Entry 2 of 2)
: the act of touching someone or something
: the ability to be aware of something physical by touching it : the sense that allows you to feel physical things
: the quality of a thing that is experienced by feeling or touching it
See the full definition for touch in the English Language Learners Dictionary
touch
verb\ ˈtəch \
\touched; touching
Kids Definition of touch
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to feel or handle (as with the fingers) especially so as to be aware of
I touched the rabbit's soft fur.
2 : to be or cause to be in contact with something
Lightly touch the paintbrush to your paper.
3 : to hit lightly
Be careful not to touch the walls.
4 : harm entry 2 No one will dare to touch you.
5 : to make use of
She never touches meat.
6 : to refer to in passing
The report touched upon many topics.
7 : to affect the interest of
This matter touches all of us.
8 : to have an influence on
As a teacher, he touched many lives.
9 : to move emotionally
I was touched by your kindness.
touch
nounKids Definition of touch (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : a light stroke or tap
Stop crying. It was only a touch and couldn't have hurt.
2 : the act or fact of touching or being touched
I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder.
3 : the sense by which light pressure on the skin is felt
The substance is soft to the touch.
4 : an impression gotten through the sense of touch
the soft touch of silk
5 : a state of contact or communication
It is important to keep in touch with friends.
6 : a small amount : trace a touch of humor
7 : a small detail
We put the finishing touches on the decorations.
touch
transitive verb\ ˈtəch \
\Medical Definition of touch
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to bring a bodily part into contact with especially so as to perceive through the tactile sense : handle or feel gently usually with the intent to understand or appreciate
: to feel something with a body part (as the hand or foot)
touch
nounMedical Definition of touch (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : the special sense by which pressure or traction exerted on the skin or mucous membrane is perceived
2 : a light attack
a touch of fever
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on touch
What made you want to look up touch? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Original Meanings Quiz
- Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Share touch
Time Traveler for touch
The first known use of touch was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century