touch
verb (used with object)
- to strike the strings, keys, etc., of (a musical instrument) so as to cause it to sound.
- to play or perform (an air, notes, etc.) on a musical instrument.
verb (used without object)
noun
- the act of approaching someone for money as a gift or a loan.
- the obtaining of money in this manner.
- the money obtained.
- a person considered from the standpoint of the relative ease with which he or she will lend money: I can always hit him for ten—he's an easy touch.
- an official mark put upon precious metal after testing to indicate its purity.
- a die, stamp, or the like for impressing such a mark.
- an identifying mark impressed on pewter by its maker.
Verb Phrases
- to represent or characterize precisely.
- to cause to ignite or explode.
- to give rise to; initiate: This incident will touch off another crisis.
- to mention a subject briefly or casually; treat of in passing: In his lecture he touched on the major aspects of the controversy.
- to come close to; approach.
- to relate or pertain to.
- to make minor changes or improvements in the appearance of.
- to modify or improve (a painting, photograph, etc.) by adding small strokes or making slight changes.
- to rouse by or as if by striking: This should touch up your memory.
Idioms for touch
Origin of touch
OTHER WORDS FROM touch
Words nearby touch
Example sentences from the Web for touch
Set a heatproof bowl over a pot of gently simmering water, making sure that the bowl does not touch the surface of the water.
Every time they seemed to be getting closer to something they had never been able to touch before.
Greil Marcus Talks About Trying to Unlock Rock and Roll in 10 Songs |Allen Barra |November 17, 2014 |DAILY BEASTAnd ironically, he has also brought Mandvi more in touch with being a Muslim.
How Aasif Mandvi Became Jon Stewart’s Favorite Jihadi |Dean Obeidallah |November 16, 2014 |DAILY BEASTThat means Japanese whiskies are beautifully balanced and elegant; they touch and develop on every sensor on the palate.
But surprisingly over the eight years of working on the show I became more in touch on some level with being culturally Muslim.
How Aasif Mandvi Became Jon Stewart’s Favorite Jihadi |Dean Obeidallah |November 16, 2014 |DAILY BEASTAs, however, the whole plan of our proceedings was to be kept secret, I will not touch on that subject.
A Voyage round the World |W.H.G. KingstonOurdays always wound up with an extra good dinner, and a touch of gala costume in honor of the occasion.
Marjorie's Busy Days |Carolyn WellsThereby had she been enabled to say, 'He will come'; and saying, 'He has come,' her touch rested on the first knot in the string.
The Short Works of George Meredith |George MeredithAt the end of some days disturbed by the silence of the King, she ventured to touch upon the subject.
The Memoirs of Louis XIV., His Court and The Regency, Complete |Duc de Saint-SimonThere was in them a touch of the genuine unworldly simplicity which forms part of your character.
Charlotte Bront |T. Wemyss Reid
British Dictionary definitions for touch
noun
- an official stamp on metal indicating standard purity
- the die stamp used to apply this markNow usually called: hallmark
- the act of asking for money as a loan or gift, often by devious means
- the money received in this way
- a person asked for money in this wayhe was an easy touch
verb
- to finger (the keys or strings of an instrument)
- to play (a tune, piece of music, etc) in this way
Derived forms of touch
touchable, adjective touchableness, noun toucher, noun touchless, adjectiveWord Origin for touch
Medical definitions for touch
n.
Other words from touch
touch•a•ble adj.Idioms and Phrases with touch
In addition to the idioms beginning with touch
- touch and go
- touch base with
- touch bottom
- touch down
- touched by, be
- touched in the head
- touch off
- touch on
- touch up
also see:
- common touch
- finishing touch
- hit (touch) bottom
- in touch
- lose one's touch
- lose touch
- not touch with a ten-foot pole
- out of touch
- put the arm (touch) on
- soft touch