verb | noun
touchtouch1 /tʌtʃ/ ●●● S1 W2 verb 1
FEEL [transitive] to put your finger, hand, etc. on something or someone: Don’t touch that – the paint is still wet. He gently touched her hand and smiled.THESAURUSfeel – to touch something with your fingers to find out about it: Feel this teddy bear – it’s so soft!handle – to touch something, pick it up, or hold or move it around in your hands: Please do not handle the merchandise.stroke – to move your hand gently over something: She stroked the baby’s face.rub – to move your hand or fingers over a surface while pressing it: Bill yawned and rubbed his eyes.scratch – to rub your nails on part of your skin: Try not to scratch those mosquito bites.pat – to touch someone or something lightly again and again, with your hand flat: He knelt down to pat the dog.pet – to touch and move your hand gently over an animal: Do you want to pet the cat?brush – to touch someone or something lightly as you pass by: Her hand brushed mine.caress – to gently move your hand over a part of someone’s body in a loving way: Miguel gently caressed her hair.tickle – to move your fingers lightly over someone’s body in order to make him/her laugh: Minna tickled the baby’s feet, and he gurgled.2NO SPACE BETWEEN [intransitive, transitive] if two things touch they come up against each other so that there is no space between them: Make sure the wires do not touch. Don’t let the flag touch the ground.3USE something [transitive usually in negatives] to use or handle something, often in a way that changes or spoils it: Don’t let anyone touch my computer while I’m away.4AFFECT somebody'S EMOTIONS [transitive] to affect someone’s emotions, especially by making him or her feel pity or sympathy: His concern touched her. The story touched the hearts of millions of our readers. → see also touched5HAVE AN EFFECT [transitive] to have an effect on someone or something, especially by changing or influencing him or her: Many people’s lives have been touched by the disease.6FOOD/DRINK [transitive usually in negatives] to eat or drink a particular thing: barely/hardly touch something You’ve hardly touched your food. I used to like to drink, but now I never touch the stuff.7DEAL WITH something [transitive] to deal with or become involved with a difficult or dangerous matter, situation, or problem: He was the only lawyer who would touch the case.not touch the issue/subject etc. Most politicians do not want to touch the abortion issue.8not touch something to not work on something that you should work on, or that needs work to be done on it: I brought home lots of work, but I haven’t touched it yet.9not touch somebody to not hit someone or hurt him or her physically: Hardin claimed he never touched the man.10touch a nerve to mention a subject that makes someone feel upset or angry: What you said about his family really touched a nerve.11touch base (with somebody) to talk for a short time with someone in order to discuss something or give him or her information: I just wanted to touch base with you, and see how things were going.12somebody wouldn’t touch somebody/something with a ten-foot pole spoken used to say that someone thinks someone or something is bad in some way, and does not want to get involved with that person or thing13touch something to your lips/mouth/cheek etc. literary to move something so that it comes up against part of your body14EXPRESSION [transitive] literary if an expression such as a smile touches your face, your face has that expression for a short time: A smile touched her lips.15RELATE TO [transitive] to concern or be about a particular subject, situation, or problem: The discussion touches many issues that are currently popular.16touch bottom a)to reach the ground at the bottom of the ocean, a river, etc. b)to reach the lowest level or worst condition: The housing market has touched bottom.17no one/nothing can touch somebody/something (also there is no one/nothing that can touch somebody/something) used to say that nothing or no one is as good as someone or something[Origin: 1200–1300 Old French tuchier, from Vulgar Latin toccare to knock, hit a bell, touch] → see also touched, touching1touch down phrasal verb if an aircraft or space vehicle touches down, it goes down to the groundtouch something ↔ off phrasal verb to cause a difficult situation or violent events to begin: The chairman’s statement touched off a controversy.touch on/upon something phrasal verb to mention or deal with a particular subject for a short period of time when talking or writing: Many television programs have touched on the subject.touch something ↔ up phrasal verb to improve something by changing it or adding to it slightly: She quickly touched up her lipstick. verb | noun
touchtouch2 ●●● S2 W2 noun 1ACT OF TOUCHING [countable usually singular] the action of putting your finger, hand, etc. on someone or something, either deliberately or not deliberately: He felt her touch on his shoulder.2SENSE [uncountable] the sense that you use to discover what something feels like, by putting your hand or another part of your body on it: The objects are hard to distinguish by touch. The sense of touch is concentrated in the fingertips.3get in touch (with somebody) to write or speak to someone on the telephone in order to tell him or her something: You can always get in touch with me at the office.4keep/stay in touch (with somebody) to continue to talk to someone on the telephone or write to someone regularly even though you do not see him or her as often as you used to: We went to different colleges but we still stayed in touch.5be in touch (with somebody) to speak to someone, especially on the telephone, or to write to someone about something, especially when you do this regularly: Are you still in touch with John?6put somebody in touch with somebody to give someone the name, address, or telephone number of a person or organization he or she needs: Gary put me in touch with a good lawyer.7with/at the touch of a button used to emphasize that you can do something easily by pressing a button: With the touch of a button, the satellite dish can be turned.8soft/rough/firm etc. to the touch soft, rough, firm, etc. when you feel it with your hand, finger, etc.: The silk was beautiful and soft to the touch.9a touch (of something) a very small amount of something: All this room needs is a touch of paint. I think I’ve got a touch of the flu.10in touch with something a)fully understanding your own feelings or attitudes: A lot of people just aren’t in touch with their own emotions. b)having the latest information, knowledge, and understanding about a subject: Use the Internet to get in touch with the latest news.11out of touch (with somebody/something) not having the correct information or a good understanding about a subject, group of people, feeling, etc.: The committee was out of touch with residents’ wishes.12a touch cold/strange/unfair etc. slightly cold, strange, etc.13DETAIL/ADDITION [countable] a small detail that improves or completes something: a decorative touchthe final/finishing touch(es) Emma put the finishing touches on the cake.14WAY OF DOING something [singular] a particular way of doing something: The friendly staff gives the hotel a personal touch.a woman’s/man’s touch This apartment could use a woman’s touch.15ABILITY TO DO something your ability to do something: touch for Reid has a good touch for shooting the ball. Judging from his latest novel, Goldman hasn’t lost his touch. She has the magic touch when it comes to gardening.16SENSATION [countable usually singular] the way that someone or something feels and affects your body: I love the soft touch of a clean cotton shirt. → see also the common touch at common1 (10), lose touch (with somebody/something) at lose (11), the midas touch at Midas touch, a soft touch at soft (12)