touch
verb
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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
b : to harm slightly by or as if by contact : taint, blemish fruit touched by frost
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
: 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
13a : test, trial —used chiefly in the phrase put to the touch
b archaic : the act of rubbing gold or silver on a touchstone to test its quality
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
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Other Words from touch
Verb
\
adjective
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.
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
This quick-action foam deflects water and is tacky to touch in just eight minutes. — The Good Housekeeping Institute, Good Housekeeping, "How to Draft-Proof Your Home for a Lower Heating Bill," 20 Nov. 2018 In a two-tower structure where the city’s iconic skyline can be taken in via infinity pool, one-year-old Andaz Singapore touches Little India, Kampong Glam, and Bras Basah Bugis. — Vogue, "Style Meets Substance—The 7 Must-Visit Shopping Neighborhoods Around the Globe," 24 Oct. 2018 Macherie Reese Everson said Scott had inappropriately touched her and made inappropriate comments to her in 2013. — Emily Bloch, Teen Vogue, "8 Men Whose Sexual Misconduct Allegations Prove It's Long Been a Big Part of U.S. Politics," 12 Oct. 2018 Some of them even reported that Bugs had touched them inappropriately. — Richard B. Mckenzie, WSJ, "A Stumble Down Memory Lane," 24 Sep. 2018 Tyndall retired in 2017 and has denied all allegations against him, which include making lewd comments and inappropriately touching patients during pelvic exams. — Julyssa Lopez, Glamour, "There Are Now More Than 200 Women Suing USC and a Former Gynecologist Accused of Sexual Abuse," 25 July 2018 Along with DaSilva, two other legislative staffers and one lawmaker have accused Hill of inappropriately touching them during the end-of-session party at AJ's Lounge. — Billy Kobin, Indianapolis Star, "Governor's office halts auto-tweet policy after criticism of link to Curtis Hill statement," 13 July 2018 The girl also told authorities Sligh forced her to touch him inappropriately. — Raisa Habersham, ajc, "Actor convicted of child molestation in Cherokee County," 13 July 2018 The women said Hill, a Republican who was elected in November 2016, inappropriately touched them at a party in the early-morning hours of March 15, celebrating the last night of the legislative season. — Daniel Victor, BostonGlobe.com, "Indiana attorney general, accused of groping, faces calls to quit," 6 July 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
In a century whose art drifted further and further from representation, Neel made her reputation painting portraits, frequently of artists, noted for their light touch, affection and psychological insight. — William Meyers, WSJ, "‘Eye to I: Self-Portraits From 1900 to Today’ Review: How Artists See Themselves," 19 Nov. 2018 Pikachu, in particular, looks like a fuzzy stuffed animal come to life, while other popular Pokemon characters have their own unexpected CGI touches. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "A new “fuzzy Pikachu” debate headlines a trailer-filled Monday," 13 Nov. 2018 The trip will fuse El Camino's expertise with our Traveler editors’ touch, and has been designed with an all-female group of travelers in mind. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, "Women Who Travel: We're Going to Colombia," 13 Nov. 2018 The person appears unconscious or asleep and the woman is gentle in her touch. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "What the New Opening Credits for Outlander Teach Us About Season 4," 2 Nov. 2018 But now, with the opening of the NoMad Las Vegas, Sin City has its first authentic touch of European glamour. — Samantha Swenson, ELLE Decor, "There's a Newcomer to The Strip: the NoMad Las Vegas," 12 Oct. 2018 This mouse is designed to fit comfortably in your hand and quickly respond to your touch, with thumb buttons and a scroll wheel to help navigate. — Alexandria Haslam, PCWorld, "Upgrade your keyboard, mouse, and webcam for cheap in Amazon's Logitech blowout sale," 26 Sep. 2018 In the opposite corner, strong-hold hair sprays are your finishing touch, best for locking a style in place, says Townsend. — Melanie Rud Chadwick, Allure, "The 16 Best Hair Sprays on the Market, From Flexible to Strong Hold," 24 Sep. 2018 The Duchess of Sussex, a former lifestyle blogger, will surely be putting her own personal touch to the place. — Araceli Cruz, Teen Vogue, "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Moving Into a New Home, Thanks to the Queen," 23 July 2018These 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.
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More Definitions for touch
touch
verb
English 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
\
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
\
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
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