1 : to put your hand, fingers, etc., on someone or something [+ obj] ▪ 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. [no obj] — usually used in negative statements ▪ You can look (at the statue) but don't touch! 2 : to be in contact with (something) — used to say that one thing is directly against another thing with no space between [+ obj] ▪ The top of the Christmas tree almost touches the ceiling. ▪ Sparks flew when the wires touched each other. [no obj] ▪ They were standing side-by-side with their shoulders touching. ▪ Sparks flew when the wires touched. 3 [+ obj] 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.
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. 4 [+ obj] a : to deal with or work on (something)
▪ I haven't touched my essay all week, and it's due this Friday!
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] 5 [+ obj] : 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. 6 [+ obj] a : to affect or involve (someone)
▪ Air pollution is a matter that touches [=concerns] everyone.
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. — see also touching 7 [+ obj] : to influence (something)
▪ As a teacher, she touched the lives of many young people. 8 [+ obj] : 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. 9 [+ obj] chiefly Brit : to reach (a particular level or amount)
▪ The temperature outside was touching 38 degrees Celsius. 10 [+ obj] 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] 11 [+ obj] literary : to appear on (something)
▪ A smile touched her lips. [=she smiled slightly]