Touch

to make physical contact with something or someone using your hand or another part of your body, to affect someone emotionally or mentally, to handle or deal with something, to reach or approach a particular level or amount

Touch - Meanings

to make physical contact with something or someone using your hand or another part of your body

Example: She touched the soft fabric of the dress.

Usage: neutralContext: daily interactions

Note: Can be used in various contexts and situations.

to affect someone emotionally or mentally

Example: The movie touched her heart deeply.

Usage: neutralContext: discussing emotions

Note: Often used in discussions about feelings or experiences.

to handle or deal with something

Example: He touched on the main points of the presentation.

Usage: formalContext: business meetings

Note: Commonly used in professional settings when discussing topics briefly.

to reach or approach a particular level or amount

Example: The temperature touched 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Usage: neutralContext: weather reports

Note: Used when talking about measurements or levels.

Touch's synonyms

feel

To perceive through touch or physical sensation.

Example: She could feel the softness of the fabric.

Note: Feel is more focused on the physical sensation experienced by touching something.

handle

To touch or hold something with the hands.

Example: Please handle the fragile items with care.

Note: Handle implies a more deliberate action of touching or holding something.

contact

To communicate or get in touch with someone.

Example: I tried to make contact with the person next to me.

Note: Contact can refer to touching physically or reaching out to someone in a broader sense.

tap

To touch something or someone quickly and lightly.

Example: He tapped me on the shoulder to get my attention.

Note: Tap is a light and quick touch, often used to get someone's attention.

brush

To touch lightly in passing.

Example: The leaves brushed against her skin as she walked through the forest.

Note: Brush implies a gentle and fleeting contact, like when something lightly touches or moves across a surface.

Touch expressions, common phrases

Keep in touch

To maintain contact or communication with someone.

Example: Let's make sure to keep in touch while you're away.

Note: The phrase 'keep in touch' extends beyond physical contact, emphasizing the importance of staying connected through communication.

Touch base

To make contact or reconnect briefly with someone.

Example: I'll touch base with you after the meeting to discuss the next steps.

Note: The phrase 'touch base' implies a quick and informal communication to update or connect with someone.

Touch and go

A precarious or uncertain situation where the outcome is uncertain.

Example: The situation was touch and go, but we managed to finish the project on time.

Note: The phrase 'touch and go' suggests a delicate balance between success and failure.

Touch off

To trigger or start something, usually a reaction or a series of events.

Example: The comment touched off a heated debate among the participants.

Note: The phrase 'touch off' implies initiating a process or chain of events.

Touch a nerve

To mention something that strongly affects or upsets someone emotionally.

Example: Her remarks about his past really touched a nerve with him.

Note: The phrase 'touch a nerve' refers to hitting a sensitive or emotional spot, causing a strong reaction.

Touch wood

To express a hope for good luck or to avoid jinxing a positive situation.

Example: I haven't been sick all year, touch wood!

Note: The phrase 'touch wood' is a superstitious gesture to ward off bad luck or to maintain good fortune.

Lose touch

To lose contact or communication with someone.

Example: After college, we lost touch for a few years before reconnecting on social media.

Note: The phrase 'lose touch' indicates a lack of communication or connection, often unintentional.

Touch everyday (slang) expressions

Touchy-feely

Refers to behavior characterized by an excessive tendency to express emotions openly, especially through physical contact.

Example: I'm not a fan of all that touchy-feely stuff; I prefer to keep things professional.

Note: This slang term emphasizes a person's emotional and physical behavior, contrasting with the more general concept of 'touch.'

Touch base with

To make contact or reconnect with someone to update or exchange information.

Example: I need to touch base with you later to discuss the project details.

Note: While 'touch base with' involves initiating contact for communication, it is more specific and action-oriented than the simple act of 'touching' something.

Get in touch with

To contact or reach out to someone, usually for communication purposes.

Example: Can you get in touch with the client to confirm the meeting time?

Note: Similar to 'touch base with,' this phrase highlights the act of making contact or connection with someone, implying conversation or interaction.

Touch-wood

Saying 'touch wood' or 'knock on wood' is a superstitious way of trying to ensure that good luck continues.

Example: I've been doing well in exams so far, touch-wood it continues!

Note: This phrase doesn't involve literal touching but rather a symbolic gesture to avoid tempting fate or jinxing a positive outcome.

Touch - Examples

Touch the screen to unlock the phone.

The baby loves the touch of her mother's hand.

Please do not touch the artwork.

Touch grammar

Touch - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)

Lemma: touch

Conjugations

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): touches, touch

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): touch

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): touched

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): touching

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): touches

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): touch

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): touch

Syllables, Separation and Stress

touch Contains 1 syllables: touch

Phonetic transcription: ˈtəch

touch , ˈtəch (The red syllable is stressed)

Touch - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

touch: ~ 1600 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

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