touchy-feelyadj.
/ˌtʌtʃɪˈfiːli/, U.S. /ˌtətʃiˈfili/ colloquial (originally U.S.).
1. Given to the open expression of affection or other emotions, esp. through hugging or other physical contact; characterized by this kind of open expression.Often implying a degree of disapproval or distaste on the part of the speaker or writer.
ΚΠ
1968 N.Y. Times 20 Aug. 25/7 They have been dubbed the ‘touchy-feely’ groups, since their training involves touching and holding hands.
1978 F. King He v. 75 Today's Jonathan would join a touchy-feely encounter group.
1981 D. A. Martin & P. Mullen No Alternative ii. 20 The touchy-feely element is symbolized in the easy tactility of the Kiss of Peace.
1992 Glimmer Train Winter 53 He and Anita were so touchy-feely all the time, I found it embarrassing to be around them.
1997 Blueprint Mar. 45/2 As we end the century all of us must work in touchy-feely multidisciplinary teams.
2003 Daily Star 3 Apr. 12/2 Not for her the stiff upper lip and an affectionate peck. Oh no, here she is welded to her new mystery lover's lips..like the most touchy-feely American.
2. Arising from or relating to the belief that the open expression of affection and other emotions is something of great value and should be widely encouraged; characteristic of people who subscribe to this belief. Usually depreciative, with the implication of a lack of practicality, rigour, or common sense.
ΚΠ
1969 Peabody Jrnl. Educ. 47 144/1 It is easier to design objectives in keeping with the training function of the school than to cope with the ‘touchy-feely’ side of education.
1990 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 31 May 21/2 The utopian and ‘touchy-feely’ use of the word ‘community’..can give an outsider the creeps.
2001 N. Hornby How to be Good 12 It's a satire about Britain's post-Diana touchy-feely culture.
2006 F. Chalk It's your Time you're Wasting (2009) 80 Punctuality is so important in the workplace and our touchy-feely slackness will count against them in a few short years.
Derivatives
ˌtouchy-ˈfeeliness n.
ΚΠ
1989 USA Today 8 May 6 b/3 CNBC [sc. Consumer News and Business Channel] pulls together these offbeat topics with a kind of touchy-feeliness that grows on you.
1997 Economist 25 Oct. 151/3 Publishers were especially pleased by the bestselling success of several middle-brow non-fiction entries that combine hard reporting with 1990s touchy-feeliness.
2008 J. S. Andersen Twin Targets viii.133 I wasn't brought up with a whole lot of affection..and this isn't exactly a job that encourages touchy-feeliness.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1968