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 upon touched 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
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
February 2021 Words of the Day Quiz
-
- Which is a synonym of perdure?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words 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