touch
noun
Definitions of touch noun
small amount
- C2Singular
a small amount
"Would you like some milk?" "Just a touch."
There was a touch of irony/humor in her voice.
The soup needs just a touch of salt.
- Singularinformal
To indicate that an illness is not severe, you can say you have had a touch of it.
I had a touch of flu/hay fever.
He felt a touch of a headache.
I think I have a touch of stomach upset.
- C2Countable
a small addition or detail that makes something better
The speech included several comedic touches.
Using a sailboat as the company logo was a touch of genius.
She added her own personal touch to the artwork.
feeling
- B2Uncountable
the ability to know what something is like by feeling it with the fingers
the sense of touch
I found the right coin in the dark by touch.
To determine the texture of an object by touch.
movement
- B2CountableUsually singular
a quick, light movement of one thing, especially a hand, onto and off another thing
I felt a cold touch on my arm.
At the touch of a button, the door opened.
The butterfly gave a light touch to the flower.
ability
- UncountableSingular
an ability to do things in the stated, especially positive, way
He has a deft touch with tricky painting jobs.
She gave the job her own special touch.
I admire her lightness of touch as a cook.
sport
- CountableUncountable
in sports such as football, a player's ability to control the ball and make it do what they want, or an occasion when a player controls the ball with their foot
Nicolas Anelka squandered the chance to score when his touch let him down in front of goal.
Hazard took several touches before crossing.
The player is known for his good touch on the ball.
- Uncountable
the area outside either of the long edges of the space on which football and rugby are played
Playing for safety, he kicked the ball into touch.
The ball was kicked out of touch.
Phrases of touch noun
- lose touch
To cease communication with someone, typically due to distance or the passage of time.
• We lost touch after he moved abroad.
- a touch
To a small extent; slightly.
• The soup tastes a touch bland; perhaps it needs a little salt.
- to the touch
Used to describe the sensation of something when physically touched, often following an adjective.
• This fabric is very soft to the touch.
- be, get, keep, etc. in touch
To communicate or maintain communication with someone, typically through phone calls or writing.
• Since graduation, I've managed to stay in touch with a few of my college roommates.
- be in/out of touch
To be in touch with something means to have current knowledge of it, while to be out of touch means to not have current knowledge.
• Despite his attempts to fit in with younger people, he is still out of touch with current trends.
verb
Definitions of touch verb
contact
- B1TransitiveIntransitive
to put your hand or another part of your body lightly onto and off something or someone
That paint is wet - don't touch it.
He touched the girl on the arm to get her attention.
The boy touched the worm with a twig.
- B2TransitiveIntransitive
(of two or more things) to be so close together that there is no space between; to be in contact
He fell asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow.
She pushed the two bookcases together until they touched.
The two buildings touch closely.
harm
- C2
to harm someone, or use or damage something
Please don't touch any of my stuff while I'm away.
Don't you touch that button!
Please do not touch or use the equipment without permission.
consume
- Transitiveinformal
(usually used in negative sentences) to eat or drink something
They didn't touch any of the food we left for them.
Honestly, I haven't touched a drop all night.
He was sick, so he didn’t touch his food.
influence
- Transitive
to influence someone or something emotionally, or cause feelings of sympathy in someone
Tragedy touched their lives when their son was 16.
The TV report about the children's work for charity touched thousands of people's hearts.
This story touched her deeply.
equal
- Transitive
(usually used in negative sentences) to have or reach the same standard (= level of quality) as someone or something
Her novels can't touch those of her sister.
There's no one to touch him as an illustrator of children's books.
When it comes to music, he can't be touched.
Idioms
- touch base
To briefly communicate with someone to check on their status or get their opinion on something.
• I need to touch base with my manager to see what he thinks about this project.
- touch/strike/hit a (raw) nerve
To inadvertently upset or offend someone by bringing up a sensitive topic.
• He touched a raw nerve when he asked me about my job loss.
Phrasal Verbs of touch
- touch something up
to enhance something by applying minor modifications or additions
• She decided to touch the painting up to make the colors more vibrant.
- touch down
To land, as when an aircraft completes its descent.
• The plane touched down safely on the runway, and the passengers began preparing to disembark.
- touch something off
to initiate a sudden onset of challenging or tumultuous events
• His comments touched off a heated debate.
- touch something in
to enhance a larger artwork by adding details with swift, light strokes
• He touched in the canvas with swift strokes, enhancing the painting with more details and depth.
- touch on/upon something
to briefly mention a topic while discussing or writing about another issue
• In his speech, he touched on the issue of environmental protection.
- touch someone up
to improperly touch someone's body in a sexual manner without their consent
• In public places, no one should touch someone up without their consent, as it is a violation of their rights.