2touch noun
plural touches 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] 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. 3 [singular] : the quality of a thing that is experienced by feeling or touching it
▪ the smooth touch [=feel] of silk 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. 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] — 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. 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.
▪ 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.
▪ the smooth touch [=feel] of silk
▪ 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] — see also midas touch
▪ That was her first touch of the game.
▪ The ball went into touch. ▪ The ball was thrown in by a player standing in touch.
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?
▪ She aimed a touch [=a bit, a little] too low and missed. ▪ Can you turn up the radio a touch more?
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.
▪ She noticed a touch of garlic in the sauce. ▪ I think I have a touch of the flu.
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. — 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. 2 a : 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.
b : 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. ▪ She meditates to get in touch with her inner self.
▪ We kept/stayed in touch after college. — 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.
b : 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. ▪ She meditates to get in touch with her inner self.
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. — often + with ▪ She lost touch with her college roommate after graduation. 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.
▪ They were friends in college, but then they moved to different cities and lost touch. — often + with ▪ She lost touch with her college roommate after graduation.
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.
▪ 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.
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. 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. — usually + with ▪ He is out of touch with the younger generation.
▪ I don't know if he still lives there. We've been out of touch for some time.
▪ I've been away from the business for several years and feel quite out of touch. — usually + with ▪ He is out of touch with the younger generation.
— see also common touch, soft touch
