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The Britannica Dictionary touch 21 ENTRIES FOUND:

• touch (verb)
• touch (noun)
• touched (adjective)
• touching (adjective)
• touch–tone (adjective)
• touch–type (verb)
• touch and go (adjective)
• touch football (noun)
• touch pad (noun)
• touch screen (noun)
• common touch (noun)
• Midas touch (noun)
• soft touch (noun)
• bargepole (noun)
• base (noun)
• chord (noun)
• finish (verb)
• forelock (noun)
• lose (verb)
• nerve (noun)
• wood (noun)

1 touch /ˈtʌtʃ/ verb touches; touched; touching 1 touch /ˈtʌtʃ/ verb touches; touched; touching Britannica Dictionary definition of TOUCH 1 : to put your hand, fingers, etc., on someone or something [+ object]

• Please do not touch the statue.
• Slowly bend forward and try to touch your toes.
• Stop touching your sister.
• He tried to touch the snake with a stick.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples [no object] — usually used in negative statements

• You can look (at the statue) but don't touch!

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : to be in contact with (something) — used to say that one thing is directly against another thing with no space between [+ object]

• The top of the Christmas tree almost touches the ceiling.
• Sparks flew when the wires touched each other.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples [no object]

• They were standing side-by-side with their shoulders touching.
• Sparks flew when the wires touched.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 [+ object] a : to change or move (something) — usually used in negative statements

• Don't touch anything before the police come.
• Your things haven't been touched while you were away.
• This room hasn't been touched in 20 years.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b : to harm (someone or something)

• Their house burned to the ground, but the house next door wasn't touched by the fire.
• I won't let anyone touch you. = I won't let anyone touch a hair on your head.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 4 [+ object] a : to deal with or work on (something)

• I haven't touched my essay all week, and it's due this Friday!

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b : to become involved with (someone or something)

• He's a good player, but since he failed the drug test, no team will touch him.
• Everything she touches turns to gold. [=everything she is involved with becomes successful]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 5 [+ object] : to use (something) — usually used in negative statements

• She never touches [=drinks] alcohol.
• The dog hasn't touched [=eaten] its food.
• We haven't touched the money in our savings account.
• Alcohol? I never touch the stuff.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 6 [+ object] a : to affect or involve (someone)

• Air pollution is a matter that touches [=concerns] everyone.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b : to affect the feelings of (someone) : to cause (someone) to feel an emotion (such as sympathy or gratitude)

• His neighbors' acts of kindness touched him deeply.
• She wants to touch her audience through her music.
• The story seemed to touch the hearts of the students.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see also touching 7 [+ object] : to influence (something)

• As a teacher, she touched the lives of many young people.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 8 [+ object] : to be as good as (someone or something) — usually used in negative statements

• No one can touch her when it comes to songwriting. [=she is much better than everyone else as a songwriter]
• You can't touch her songwriting ability.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 9 [+ object] chiefly British : to reach (a particular level or amount)

• The temperature outside was touching 38 degrees Celsius.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 10 [+ object] baseball : to get a hit off or score a run against (a pitcher) — usually + for

• He was touched for a run in the first inning. [=they scored a run off him in the first inning]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 11 [+ object] literary : to appear on (something)

• A smile touched her lips. [=she smiled slightly]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

not touch (someone or something) with a ten-foot pole

(US) informal or British not touch (someone or something) with a bargepole : to refuse to go near or become involved with (someone or something)

• That investment is too risky. I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

touch a chord

— see 2chord

touch all the bases

or touch every base — see 1base

touch a nerve

— see nerve

touch base

— see 1base

touch down

[phrasal verb] 1 : to return to the ground or another surface after a flight : land

• The plane touched down at 3:15.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 touch (the ball) down or touch down (the ball) rugby : to score by putting (the ball) on the ground behind an opponent's goal line

• He touched the ball down under the posts.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see also touchdown

touch for

[phrasal verb] touch (someone) for (something) informal British : to persuade (someone) to give or lend you (an amount of money)

• He touched me for a tenner.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see also 1touch 10 (above)

touch off

[phrasal verb] touch off (something) or touch (something) off : to cause (something) to start suddenly

• What touched off the fire?
• The judge's verdict touched off riots throughout the city.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

touch on/upon

[phrasal verb] 1 touch on/upon (something) : to briefly talk or write about (something) : to mention (something) briefly

• The reports touched on many important points.
• She touches upon the issue in the article but never fully explains it.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : to come close to (something) : to almost be (something)

• Your actions touch on [=verge on] treason.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

touch up

[phrasal verb] 1 touch up (something) or touch (something) up : to improve (something) by making small changes or additions

• She touched up the photographs on the computer.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 touch (someone) up or touch up (someone) British, informal : to touch (someone) in a sexual way

• He tried to touch her up [=feel her up] at the party.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

touch wood

— see 1wood

touch your forelock

— see forelock 2 touch /ˈtʌtʃ/ noun plural touches 2 touch /ˈtʌtʃ/ noun plural touches Britannica Dictionary definition of TOUCH 1 [count] : the act of touching someone or something — usually singular

• He felt a gentle touch on his shoulder.
• Fax machines allow you to send a document with/at the touch [=push] of a button. [=by touching/pushing a button]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 [noncount] : the ability to be aware of something physical by touching it : the sense that allows you to feel physical things

• Blind since birth, she relies on her sense of touch to read braille.
• Sand the wood until it is smooth to the touch. [=until it feels smooth when you touch it]
• The plate was hot to the touch.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 [singular] : the quality of a thing that is experienced by feeling or touching it

• the smooth touch [=feel] of silk

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 4 [count] : a small detail that is added to improve or complete something — usually + to

• He added the final touches to the letter and mailed it.
• The candles and light jazz music added a nice touch to their dinner together.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 5 [singular] : a quality that can be seen in the way something is done

• The painting showed the touch of a master.
• Here at our hotel, we strive to provide service with a personal touch.
• This room needs a woman's/feminine touch. [=it needs a woman to help decorate it]
• He has a magic touch with animals. [=he is able to calm and control animals with unusual ease]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see also midas touch 6 [count] : an act of handling or controlling the ball in a sport (such as basketball, soccer, or American football)

• That was her first touch of the game.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 7 [noncount] : the area outside of the lines that mark the long edges of the playing area in soccer or rugby

• The ball went into touch.
• The ball was thrown in by a player standing in touch.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

a touch

: to a small extent : slightly

• She aimed a touch [=a bit, a little] too low and missed.
• Can you turn up the radio a touch more?

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

a touch of

: a small amount of (something) : a hint or trace of (something)

• She noticed a touch of garlic in the sauce.
• I think I have a touch of the flu.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

finishing touch

— see 1finish

in touch

1 : in a state in which people communicate with each other especially by calling or writing to each other

• We kept/stayed in touch after college.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often + with

• I'll be in touch with you [=I will call you, e-mail you, etc.] later this week.
• I have been trying to get in touch with her all day.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 a : in the state of being aware of what is happening, how a particular group of people feels, etc. — usually + with

• As a professor of biology, it is important to keep/stay in touch with the latest research.
• She is in touch with the voters and their needs.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b : in the state of being aware of a particular part of your character that is not easily noticed — usually + with

• He is in touch with his sensitive side.
• I meditate to get in touch with my inner self.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

lose touch

1 : to stop communicating with each other : to no longer know what is happening in each other's lives

• They were friends in college, but then they moved to different cities and lost touch.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often + with

• She lost touch with her college roommate after graduation.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : to stop knowing what is happening, how a particular group of people feels, etc. — usually + with

• I read the newspaper every morning so that I don't completely lose touch with what's happening in the world.
• She seems to have lost touch with reality [=she believes things that are not true] and thinks that she can have everything she wants.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

lose your touch

: to no longer have the ability to do things that you were able to do successfully in the past

• His last album flopped; he seems to be losing his touch.
• I must have lost my touch; I can't get this camera to work anymore.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

out of touch

1 : not communicating with each other

• I don't know if he still lives there. We've been out of touch for some time.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : in a state of not knowing what is happening, how a particular group of people feels, etc.

• I've been away from the business for several years and feel quite out of touch.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — usually + with

• He is out of touch with the younger generation.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples ASK THE EDITOR

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