touch
touch — verb
1. to bring a hand, fingers, or any body part into light contact with a person or s
to bring a hand, fingers, or any body part into light contact with a person or surface, usually briefly and with little force
Maja gently touched the baby's cheek with her finger.
touch + body part with gentle adverb
Visitors are asked not to touch the paintings in the museum.
passive: be asked not to touch [something]
Tuan touched his forehead to check if he had a fever.
touch + body part to check condition
The boy reached out and touched the rough bark of the old tree.
The cat's nose touched the glass door as it looked outside.
- touch gently
- touch lightly
- touch someone's arm
- touch someone's shoulder
- touch something with your fingers
- barely touch
Grammar Patterns
touch + object (the thing or person being touched)
Usage Note
This sense often pairs with an adverb of manner such as 'gently', 'softly', or 'lightly'. The object is typically a person, animal, or surface that can be felt.
Common Mistakes
2. when objects or surfaces are placed so closely that they meet or press against e
when objects or surfaces are placed so closely that they meet or press against each other, leaving no space in between
The two garden walls almost touch at the back corner.
two things + touch (no space between)
The branches of the old trees touch above the garden path.
Make sure the edges of the fabric touch before you sew them together.
make sure [parts] touch
The shoulder of my jacket barely touches the doorframe when I walk through.
In the crowded train, passengers' shoulders touched on both sides.
- almost touch
- barely touch
- touch each other
- touch the ceiling
- touch the wall
- touch at the edge
- separate
implies a gap or distance between things
Grammar Patterns
[two or more things] touch
[something] touches [something else]
Usage Note
Frequently appears with 'almost', 'barely', or 'nearly' to indicate near-contact. In the transitive form, the subject is usually one object and the object is another: 'The shelf touches the ceiling.'
Common Mistakes
3. to cause harm to someone or damage to something, especially by moving, handling,
to cause harm to someone or damage to something, especially by moving, handling, or coming into contact with it in a way that spoils or alters it
The frost touched the rose petals and turned them brown.
natural element + object = damage
Please do not touch the settings on the control panel.
negative command: do not touch [something delicate]
The moving truck touched the side mirror of the parked car.
Kwame warned the children not to touch the fresh paint on the bench.
- don't touch
- frost touched
- not touch the surface
- touch the paint
Grammar Patterns
touch + object (the thing that gets damaged)
Usage Note
Often appears in warnings or negative commands ('don't touch'). Unlike sense 1, this sense carries a negative consequence — the contact itself causes damage, or the speaker wants to prevent damage. Distinguish from sense 1: in this sense, the focus is on the unwanted result, not the contact itself.
Common Mistakes
❌ 'Don't touch the paintings' (meaning don't damage them) — works when context is clear, but 'touch' in this sense implies harm, so specify if you mean light contact vs. damage.
4. to consume food or drink, particularly when one chooses not to have any of a giv
to consume food or drink, particularly when one chooses not to have any of a given type — this sense almost always appears in negated statements
The patient had not touched any food for two full days.
negative: not touch + food
Linh never touches alcohol at parties or social events.
never touch + alcohol
The doctor said I should not touch anything salty for a week.
After the surgery, Ryo could not touch solid food for three days.
- not touch food
- never touch alcohol
- won't touch
- can't touch
Grammar Patterns
not touch + food/drink
never touch + [type of food/drink]
Usage Note
Almost exclusively appears in negative contexts — 'not touch', 'never touch', 'could not touch'. The positive form ('touch food') is very rare in modern English. This sense is conversational and slightly informal.
Common Mistakes
❌ 'I didn't touch the cake' — This could mean either 'I didn't eat it' or 'I didn't physically contact it'. Context clarifies, but often 'eat' or 'drink' is clearer for learners.
5. to affect someone emotionally, especially by making them feel sympathy, sadness,
to affect someone emotionally, especially by making them feel sympathy, sadness, or warm feelings — for example, a kind act, a sad story, or a beautiful piece of music that makes you feel moved
The story of the lost dog touched everyone in the classroom.
story + touch + person emotionally
Valentina was deeply touched by the kindness of her new neighbors.
passive: be deeply touched by [kind action]
The film about the war touched people all around the world.
Nothing could touch the old man more than his daughter's letter.
Élise's speech touched many listeners and brought tears to their eyes.
- deeply touched
- touched by
- touched someone's heart
- touch the lives of
- touch the soul
- leave cold
idiom meaning to fail to affect someone emotionally
Grammar Patterns
touch + person (emotionally)
be touched by + something
Usage Note
Very common in the passive voice ('touched by something'). The adverb 'deeply' is a frequent intensifier. Unlike 'affect', which can be neutral, this sense always carries a warm or sympathetic emotional charge. Distinguish from sense 3: sense 3 implies physical harm, while this sense implies emotional impact.
Common Mistakes
❌ 'The bad news touched him' (meaning upset him mildly) — While possible, 'touched' usually implies warm/sympathetic feelings. For upsetting news, use 'affected' or 'upset'.
6. to equal the standard of quality or skill of another person or thing — this sens
to equal the standard of quality or skill of another person or thing — this sense nearly always occurs within a negated clause, stating that one thing cannot match another
No other singer in the competition could touch her voice.
negative: cannot touch [someone's ability]
The quality of this cheaper fabric cannot touch pure silk.
cannot touch [higher quality thing]
Eitan's cooking skills do not touch those of his grandmother.
No modern building can touch the beauty of that old cathedral.
- cannot touch
- can't touch
- does not touch
- not touch the standard of
Grammar Patterns
cannot touch + someone/something
not touch + [standard/quality]
Usage Note
Always occurs in negative constructions: 'cannot touch', 'does not touch', 'could not touch'. The positive form ('this touches that') would sound old-fashioned or poetic. The comparison is always about value, skill, or quality — not physical attributes like size or speed.
Common Mistakes
❌ 'Her singing touches her teacher's.' — Positive form is unusual and old-fashioned. Use negative: 'Her singing does not touch her teacher's.'
❌ 'My score can't touch yours.' — While the grammar is fine, this is quite informal. 'Match' or 'reach' are clearer for most written contexts.
touch down
phrasal verbWhen an aircraft lands on the ground.
The plane touched down safely at the airport.
Our flight touched down in London at noon.
touch for
phrasal verbTo ask someone for money, usually as a loan.
He touched me for twenty dollars yesterday.
She tried to touch her brother for some cash.
touch off
phrasal verbTo cause something to start, especially a violent or difficult situation.
The argument touched off a fight between the two groups.
His remarks touched off a heated debate in the meeting.
touch on
phrasal verbTo briefly mention a subject when speaking or writing.
The professor touched on the topic of climate change.
In her speech, she touched on the importance of education.
touch up
phrasal verbTo make small improvements to something, especially a picture or writing.
I need to touch up the paint on the wall.
She touched up her essay before submitting it.
touch upon
phrasal verbTo briefly mention a subject when speaking or writing.
The article touches upon several important issues.
He touched upon his childhood during the interview.
To have a small amount of a particular quality.
Her voice was touched with sadness as she spoke.
The old man's hair was touched with grey.
To upset someone by reminding them of something they are sensitive about.
His comment about her weight caught her on the raw.
Did my joke touch you on the raw? I'm sorry.
To mention a subject that makes someone feel angry, upset, or embarrassed.
When I mentioned his ex-wife, I touched a raw nerve.
Her speech about failure struck a sensitive nerve with the audience.
To not hurt someone physically in any way.
The kidnappers promised not to harm a hair of the child's head.
Don't worry, I won't touch a hair of your head.
To refuse to get involved with someone or something.
I wouldn't touch that investment with a bargepole.
She wouldn't touch her ex-husband with a bargepole.
To say or do something that makes people feel sympathy or enthusiasm.
The speaker's story touched a chord with the audience.
Her song about loneliness struck a chord with many listeners.
To make contact with someone again, especially to update or discuss something.
Let's touch base next week to discuss the project.
I need to touch base with my boss before making a decision.
touch bottom
idiomTo reach the lowest point of something, such as water or a situation.
The diver touched bottom at twenty meters.
After losing his job, his career touched bottom.
To say or do something that makes people feel sympathy or enthusiasm.
The politician's words touched a chord with voters.
Her story about overcoming hardship struck a chord with me.
To show too much respect to someone of higher social class, often because you are anxious about their opinion.
He always touches his forelock to the landlord.
Stop tugging your forelock to the boss; you're not a servant.
touch wood
idiomUsed when talking about good luck to avoid bringing bad luck.
I've never had a car accident, touch wood.
Touch wood, my health has been excellent this year.
Very close to something.
We were within touching distance of winning the championship.
The finish line is within touching distance now.
touch — noun
1. a very small quantity of a particular thing, especially something abstract such
a very small quantity of a particular thing, especially something abstract such as a quality, flavour, or feeling
The soup needs a touch more salt before we serve it.
collocation: a touch more + noun
Diya added a touch of humour to her speech, and the audience loved it.
collocation: a touch of humour / elegance / colour
A touch of sadness crept into Tyler's voice when he spoke of his old home.
The room could use a touch of colour to make it feel warmer and brighter.
Ziad's painting has a touch of genius that sets it apart from the others.
- a touch of
- a touch more
- add a touch of
- hint
slightly smaller in degree than 'touch'; often about flavour or smell
- dash
used for small amounts of liquid or food ingredients specifically
- suggestion
more abstract than 'touch'; a very faint amount
Grammar Patterns
a touch of + uncountable noun
Usage Note
Usually followed by 'of' and an uncountable noun. Describes abstract qualities much more often than physical quantities.
2. a mild case of an illness that is not serious enough to be fully developed or ca
a mild case of an illness that is not serious enough to be fully developed or cause major problems
Zola stayed home from school with a touch of the flu.
collocation: a touch of + illness name
It is just a touch of hay fever — nothing serious enough to stop us.
Ramón thinks he has a touch of food poisoning after that seafood dinner.
The doctor said it is only a touch of asthma, not a serious attack.
- a touch of flu
- a touch of fever
- a touch of food poisoning
- hint of
less common for illness; more often about flavour or quality
Grammar Patterns
a touch of + illness
Usage Note
Used with common countable illnesses (flu, cold, fever, asthma, hay fever). Not used for serious or chronic conditions.
3. a small extra feature, detail, or addition that improves the overall quality, ap
a small extra feature, detail, or addition that improves the overall quality, appearance, or effect of something
The gold frame adds a touch of elegance to the painting.
collocation: adds a touch of + quality
Ilan was putting the finishing touches on his model ship just before the competition.
idiom: put the finishing touches on something
The small flowers painted on the edge of the mirror are a lovely touch.
Candles on each table were a nice touch that made the dinner feel special.
The handwritten note on the gift was a personal touch Nora truly appreciated.
- a lovely touch
- a nice touch
- a personal touch
- finishing touches
- adds a touch of
Grammar Patterns
a touch
finishing touches
Usage Note
Often used in the plural phrase 'finishing touches' to describe the final small improvements made to a project or creation.
4. to a small degree; used as an adverb before adjectives or comparatives to mean '
to a small degree; used as an adverb before adjectives or comparatives to mean 'a little' or 'slightly'
The coffee is a touch too bitter for my taste this morning.
pattern: a touch + too + adjective
Kenji felt a touch nervous before his first piano lesson.
The music at the party was a touch too loud for the small room.
Lara thought the dress was a touch too formal for a casual dinner with friends.
Élise arrived a touch early for the meeting and had to wait outside.
pattern: a touch + adverb (early, late)
- a touch too
- a touch more
- a touch less
Grammar Patterns
a touch + adjective
a touch + comparative
Usage Note
Commonly used with 'too' (a touch too + adjective) to soften criticism. Functions adverbially and does not change form.
Common Mistakes
5. one of the five physical senses; the ability to perceive contact, pressure, text
one of the five physical senses; the ability to perceive contact, pressure, texture, or temperature through the skin
People who cannot see often develop a very strong sense of touch.
collocation: sense of touch
The nerve damage in Dario's hand meant he had lost all touch in his fingers.
Tamás knew the fabric was pure silk by touch alone, without using his eyes.
pattern: by touch
The museum has a special room where visitors can explore sculptures by touch.
Babies learn about the world around them largely through the sense of touch.
- sense of touch
- by touch
- through touch
- tactile sense
more technical or scientific term; less common in everyday speech
Grammar Patterns
sense of touch
by touch
Usage Note
Often used in the fixed phrase 'sense of touch'. Cannot be used as a countable noun in this meaning ('a touch' = a single instance of contact, not the ability).
6. the way a surface feels to the skin, described by adjectives such as smooth, rou
the way a surface feels to the skin, described by adjectives such as smooth, rough, soft, sticky, or cold
The baby loved the soft touch of the woollen blanket against her skin.
pattern: the [adjective] touch of something
The velvet curtain had a smooth, slippery touch that felt expensive.
Nora ran her hand over the stone wall and was surprised by its rough touch.
The leather of the old armchair had a warm, worn touch from years of use.
Fresh linen has a cool, clean touch that makes summer nights more comfortable.
- soft touch
- smooth touch
- rough touch
- warm touch
- cold touch
Grammar Patterns
adjective + to the touch
the touch of something
Usage Note
Always preceded by an adjective that describes the quality of the surface. Common adjectives include smooth, rough, soft, hard, cold, warm, silky, sticky.
7. a brief, light act of placing a hand or other body part onto a surface and lifti
a brief, light act of placing a hand or other body part onto a surface and lifting it away again
Jason felt a gentle touch on his shoulder and turned to see his sister smiling.
touch + on [body part] pattern
The doctor's light touch on my arm helped calm my nerves before the injection.
With a single touch of the screen, the app began downloading the update.
touch + of + [object]
Sari gave the painting a final touch before stepping back to admire her work.
A touch on the doorbell sent a loud ring through the empty house.
- gentle touch
- light touch
- touch on the shoulder
- touch of the hand
- at the touch of a button
Grammar Patterns
a + touch + on + noun phrase
Usage Note
Often used with the preposition 'on' to specify where the touch lands, or 'of' to specify what does the touching.
Common Mistakes
8. the condition of reaching and hearing from someone regularly by phone, email, le
the condition of reaching and hearing from someone regularly by phone, email, letter, or in person
Kemi promised to stay in touch with her old classmates after graduation.
stay in touch + with
The hospital put us in touch with a specialist who could help with the treatment.
put [someone] in touch with
Hana's cousin moved to Canada, but they keep in touch through weekly video calls.
Sofia lost touch with her childhood friend after moving to a different school.
Mathieu tried all week to get in touch with the landlord about the broken heater.
get in touch with [someone]
- in touch
- keep in touch
- stay in touch
- get in touch
- put someone in touch
- contact
a more general term; 'be in contact with' can be used similarly but sounds slightly more formal
- communication
broader meaning that covers the exchange itself rather than the state of being connected
Grammar Patterns
in touch with + noun phrase
keep/stay in touch
get in touch with
Usage Note
Used in fixed phrases — 'in touch', 'keep in touch', 'stay in touch', 'get in touch', 'put someone in touch'. The preposition is always 'with' for the person contacted.
Common Mistakes
9. the state of no longer communicating with someone, typically because of distance
the state of no longer communicating with someone, typically because of distance, time, or changing circumstances
Liam lost touch with his university roommates after they all took jobs in different cities.
lose touch with [someone]
Ilan was out of touch with his cousin for years, so her call surprised him.
out of touch with
Two old friends fell out of touch after a small argument and never made up.
Rania looked for her former neighbour, but they were out of touch for years.
- lose touch with
- out of touch
- fall out of touch
- be out of touch
- out of contact
similar meaning but less common in everyday speech; sounds more formal
- in touch
the opposite state — currently communicating with someone
- in contact
the opposite state of being connected
Grammar Patterns
lose touch with + noun phrase
out of touch with + noun phrase
Usage Note
Opposite of sense 8 (COMMUNICATION). 'Lose touch' implies an active transition from being in contact to no longer being in contact, while 'out of touch' describes the resulting state.
Common Mistakes
10. a noticeable skill, talent, or characteristic way of doing something, especially
a noticeable skill, talent, or characteristic way of doing something, especially when done well or with sensitivity
Vikram has a wonderful touch with plants — his garden always looks beautiful.
have a [adjective] touch with
The chef's light touch with spices made the dish both flavorful and delicate.
A good teacher needs a gentle touch when explaining difficult ideas to young students.
The therapist handled the situation with a sure touch that put everyone at ease.
with a [adjective] touch
Christopher's artistic touch turned a simple room into a warm and inviting space.
- light touch
- sure touch
- gentle touch
- magical touch
- artistic touch
- have a touch with
Grammar Patterns
a + adjective + touch
Usage Note
Almost always preceded by an adjective (a light touch, a sure touch, a gentle touch, a deft touch, a magical touch). Describes a personal quality or style rather than a learned technique.
Common Mistakes
11. in football and other ball sports, a player's skill in controlling the ball's mo
in football and other ball sports, a player's skill in controlling the ball's movement, often with the feet or hands, to keep it close and direct it accurately
Mateo's first touch was so smooth that the defender could not reach the ball.
first touch (football term)
The young player showed great touch as she controlled a fast pass from her teammate.
Coaches say a striker needs a soft touch to keep the ball under pressure.
soft touch / good touch
With a perfect touch, the midfielder turned the ball and passed it down the wing.
- first touch
- soft touch
- good touch
- great touch
- player's touch
- control
broader term for managing the ball; 'touch' adds the nuance of precision and feel
Grammar Patterns
good/excellent touch
first touch
Usage Note
Commonly used in football (soccer) commentary. 'First touch' refers to a player's ability to control the ball the moment it arrives. 'Soft touch' describes a delicate, precise control.
12. the area outside the long sidelines of a football, rugby, or hockey pitch, where
the area outside the long sidelines of a football, rugby, or hockey pitch, where the ball is considered out of play
The full-back kicked the ball into touch to stop the opposing team's attack.
into touch (direction)
In rugby, the referee blows the whistle when the ball goes out of touch.
out of touch (position)
The winger managed to catch the ball before it crossed the line into touch.
A throw-in is called when the ball goes out of touch on the sideline.
- into touch
- out of touch
- go into touch
- kick into touch
- the touchline
- sidelines
the lines themselves rather than the area beyond them
Grammar Patterns
in touch
out of touch
into touch
Usage Note
Primarily British English; used in football (soccer), rugby, and field hockey. 'Into touch' means the ball has left the playing area; 'out of play' is a more general alternative.
13. used in the expressions 'in touch' and 'out of touch' to describe whether someon
used in the expressions 'in touch' and 'out of touch' to describe whether someone's understanding of a topic or situation is current and accurate, or has become outdated.
After retiring, Grandpa stayed in touch with new farming methods by reading journals.
in touch with + field of knowledge
Sari felt out of touch with modern art after years working as an engineer.
A good journalist must stay in touch with what ordinary people think and need.
stay in touch with + what-clause
Gabriel's old-fashioned views showed that he was completely out of touch with city life.
out of touch with + aspect of life
Nia reads parenting blogs to stay in touch with new ideas about raising children.
- in touch with
- out of touch with
- stay in touch with
- keep in touch with
- get out of touch with
- completely/entirely out of touch
- up-to-date
focuses on having the most recent information, less about depth of understanding
- informed
having good and accurate knowledge, slightly more formal
- knowledgeable
having thorough understanding, but does not specifically imply recency
- uninformed
lacking information; can be about a single topic rather than a general disconnect
- unfamiliar
not knowing something well, but may never have known it at all
- disconnected
suggests a separation from a community or field
Grammar Patterns
in/out of touch with + subject area
Usage Note
Only appears in the fixed phrases 'in touch' and 'out of touch', both followed by 'with' + a subject area. Does not refer to physical contact.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
'Touch' (verb/1) refers to making light physical contact, often briefly and with little force. 'Feel' implies actively exploring texture, temperature, or shape through touch — you touch a surface, but you feel it to learn about it. 'Handle' suggests holding or moving something with the hands, involving more deliberate manipulation than a simple touch. 'Stroke' describes a repeated, gentle movement of the hand across a surface, typically to soothe or show affection. 'Tap' is quicker and sharper, using the fingertips in a short percussive motion. 'Contact' is the most formal and neutral — it covers any instance of touching without specifying duration or force. For example: 'She touched the sculpture lightly with one finger.' / 'He felt the fabric between his thumb and forefinger.' / 'The coach tapped the player on the shoulder.'
Common collocations
Nouns
- touch screen
- touch pad
- sense of touch
- touch of class
- touch of humour
Phrases
- get in touch
- keep in touch
- stay in touch
- lose touch
- out of touch
- put someone in touch
- touch base
- touch down
- touch off
- a touch of
- finishing touches
- to the touch
- within touch
Etymology
The word 'touch' entered English through Old French 'touchier', meaning to strike, tap, or make contact with. This came from the Vulgar Latin verb 'toccare', which originally meant to strike a bell or make a tapping sound. The Latin root may be imitative in origin — mimicking the sound of a light knock. Over time, the meaning shifted from a sharp tap to general physical contact, and later developed figurative senses such as emotional impact (late 14th century), getting in touch (16th century), and a small amount (17th century).