Feel vs. Touch — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 25, 2023
Feel refers to experiencing emotions or sensations; Touch involves making physical contact with something or someone.
Difference Between Feel and Touch
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Feel and Touch, while sometimes used interchangeably, have distinct differences. Feel encompasses a broader spectrum, referring to emotions, intuitions, and physical sensations. For instance, one can feel happy, sad, or cold. Touch, however, specifically denotes the act or sensation of coming into physical contact with an object or person.
When discussing interactions, Feel can indicate an internal reaction or understanding. One might feel a connection with a historical event or feel that a decision is right. Touch is more tactile and direct, such as when one touches a hot stove or a soft fabric. The action is more immediate and localized.
In some contexts, Feel and Touch can overlap, especially when referring to physical sensations. One might say, "I can feel the sun on my skin," and also, "I can touch the warm sand." However, the emphasis is different; Feel focuses on the sensation, while Touch emphasizes the action.
Language often plays with the nuances between Feel and Touch. Poets and writers might use Feel to describe deep emotions and insights, exploring the human psyche's depths. In contrast, Touch might be employed to create vivid, tangible imagery, grounding the reader in the physical world.
While Feel often delves into subjective experiences, Touch offers a more objective perspective. Two people might feel differently about a song, but if they touch a solid object, they both acknowledge its tangible presence.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Experiencing emotions or sensations
Making physical contact
Application
Internal reactions or understandings
Direct, tactile interactions
Contextual Overlap
Refers to both emotional and physical sensations
Primarily used for physical contact
Language Use
Describes deep emotions, intuitions
Creates tangible, physical imagery
Subjectivity/Objectivity
Often subjective, based on personal experiences
More objective, based on tangible interactions
Compare with Definitions
Feel
Feel can indicate personal opinion or intuition.
I feel that we're making the right choice.
Touch
Touch refers to coming into contact with something.
Do not touch the wet paint on the wall.
Feel
Feel suggests a perceived understanding or connection.
He feels a bond with the natural world.
Touch
Touch can mean affecting someone emotionally.
His words touched her deeply.
Feel
Feel might refer to empathizing with someone's emotions.
She could feel his pain and heartbreak.
Touch
Touch indicates the act of physically feeling with hands or fingers.
She touched the fabric to check its quality.
Feel
Be aware of (a person or object) through touching or being touched
She felt someone touch her shoulder
You can feel the soft grass beneath your feet
Touch
Touch can suggest a brief or light contact.
The feather touched her cheek softly.
Feel
Experience (an emotion or sensation)
She started to feel really sick
It felt odd to be alone again
We feel very strongly about freedom of expression
I felt a sense of excitement
Touch
Come into or be in contact with
He leaned back so that only two legs of his chair touched the floor
Feel
Have a belief or impression, especially without an identifiable reason
She felt that the woman positively disliked her
Touch
Handle in order to interfere with, alter, or otherwise affect
I didn't play her records or touch any of her stuff
Feel
An act of touching something to examine it.
Touch
Affect or concern
A tenth of state companies have been touched by privatization
Feel
A sensation given by an object or material when touched
Nylon cloth with a cotton feel
Touch
Produce feelings of affection, gratitude, or sympathy in
She was touched by her friend's loyalty
Feel
Feelings of heightened emotion
Fans will undoubtedly get the feels when they see how things haven't changed
I cry at everything, even the types of movies you wouldn't expect to give you all the feels
Touch
Reach (a specified level or amount)
Sales touched twenty grand last year
Feel
To perceive through the sense of touch
Feel the velvety smoothness of a peach.
Touch
Ask someone for (money or some other commodity) as a loan or gift
He touched me for his fare
Feel
To perceive as a physical sensation
Feel a sharp pain.
Feel the cold.
Touch
Lightly mark in features or other details with a brush or pencil.
Feel
To touch
Reached out and felt the wall.
Touch
An act of touching someone or something
Her touch on his shoulder was hesitant
Manipulate images on the screen at the touch of a key
Expressions of love through words and touch
Feel
To examine by touching
Felt the fabric for flaws.
Touch
A small amount; a trace
He retired to bed with a touch of flu
Add a touch of vinegar
Feel
To test or explore with caution
Feel one's way in a new job.
Touch
A distinctive manner or method of dealing with something
Later he showed a surer political touch
Feel
To undergo the experience of
Felt my interest rising.
Felt great joy.
Touch
The area beyond the sidelines, out of play
The idea was kicked firmly into touch by the authorities
His clearance went directly into touch
Feel
To be aware of; sense
Felt the anger of the crowd.
Touch
An act of asking for and getting a loan or gift from someone
I only tolerated him because he was good for a touch now and then
Feel
To be emotionally affected by
She still feels the loss of her dog.
Touch
A series of changes shorter than a peal.
Feel
To be persuaded of (something) on the basis of intuition, emotion, or other indefinite grounds
I feel that what the informant says may well be true.
Touch
A thing that tests the worth or character of something
You must put your fate to the touch
Feel
To believe; think
She felt his answer to be evasive.
Touch
To cause or permit a part of the body, especially the hand or fingers, to come in contact with so as to feel
Reached out and touched the smooth stone.
Feel
To experience the sensation of touch.
Touch
To bring something into light contact with
Touched the sore spot with a probe.
Feel
To produce a particular sensation, especially through the sense of touch
The sheets felt smooth.
Touch
To bring (one thing) into light contact with something else
Grounded the radio by touching a wire to it.
Touching fire to a fuse.
Feel
To produce a particular impression; appear to be; seem
It feels good to be home. See Usage Note at well2.
Touch
To press or push lightly; tap
Touched a control to improve the TV picture.
Touched 19 on the phone to get room service.
Feel
To be conscious of a specified kind or quality of physical, mental, or emotional state
Felt warm and content.
Feels strongly about the election.
Touch
To lay hands on in violence
I never touched him!.
Feel
To seek or explore something by the sense of touch
Felt for the light switch in the dark.
Touch
To eat or drink; taste
She didn't touch her food.
Feel
To have compassion or sympathy
I feel for him in his troubles.
Touch
To disturb or move by handling
Just don't touch anything in my room!.
Feel
Perception by touch or by sensation of the skin
A feel of autumn in the air.
Touch
To meet without going beyond; adjoin
The ridge where his property touches mine.
Feel
The sense of touch
A surface that is rough to the feel.
Touch
(Mathematics) To be tangent to.
Feel
An act or instance of touching or feeling
Gave the carpet a feel.
Touch
To come up to; reach
When the thermometer touches 90°.
Feel
(Vulgar) An act or instance of sexual touching or fondling.
Touch
To match in quality; equal
Rival artists can't touch her work at its best.
Feel
An overall impression or effect
"gives such disparate pictures ... a crazily convincing documentary feel" (Stephen King).
Touch
To deal with, especially in passing; treat briefly or allusively
Some remarks touching recent events.
Feel
Intuitive awareness or natural ability
Has a feel for decorating.
Touch
To have an effect on
Environmental problems that touch us all.
Feel
(heading) To use or experience the sense of touch.
Touch
To affect the emotions of
An appeal that touched us deeply.
Feel
To become aware of through the skin; to use the sense of touch on.
You can feel a heartbeat if you put your fingers on your breast.
I felt cold and miserable all night.
Touch
To injure slightly
Plants touched by frost.
Feel
(transitive) To find one's way (literally or figuratively) by touching or using cautious movements.
I felt my way through the darkened room.
I felt my way cautiously through the dangerous business maneuver.
Touch
To color slightly; tinge
A white petal touched with pink.
Feel
(intransitive) To receive information by touch or by any neurons other than those responsible for sight, smell, taste, or hearing.
Touch
To draw with light strokes.
Feel
(intransitive) To search by sense of touch.
He felt for the light switch in the dark.
Touch
To change or improve by adding fine lines or strokes.
Feel
(heading) To sense or think emotionally or judgmentally.
Touch
To stamp (tested metal).
Feel
(transitive) To experience an emotion or other mental state about.
I can feel the sadness in his poems.
Touch
(Slang) To wheedle a loan or handout from
Touched a friend for five dollars.
Feel
(transitive) To think, believe, or have an impression concerning.
I feel that we need to try harder.
Touch
(Archaic) To strike or pluck the keys or strings of (a musical instrument).
Feel
To experience an emotion or other mental state.
He obviously feels strongly about it.
She felt even more upset when she heard the details.
Touch
To play (a musical piece).
Feel
(intransitive) To sympathise; to have the sensibilities moved or affected.
I feel for you and your plight.
Touch
To touch someone or something.
Feel
(transitive) To be or become aware of.
Touch
To be or come into contact
Don't let the live wires touch.
Feel
(transitive) To experience the consequences of.
Feel my wrath!
Touch
The act or an instance of touching.
Feel
(copulative) To seem (through touch or otherwise).
It looks like wood, but it feels more like plastic.
This is supposed to be a party, but it feels more like a funeral!
Touch
A light push; a tap
An electric switch that requires just a touch.
Feel
To understand.
I don't want you back here, ya feel me?
Touch
(Sports) An instance of contacting or propelling the ball or puck
Scored on the first touch.
Feel
(archaic) The sense of touch.
Touch
The physiological sense by which external objects or forces are perceived through contact with the body.
Feel
A perception experienced mainly or solely through the sense of touch.
Bark has a rough feel.
Touch
A sensation experienced in touching something with a characteristic texture
Felt the touch of snowflakes on her face.
Feel
A vague mental impression.
You should get a feel for the area before moving in.
Touch
A discernible mark or effect left by contact with something.
Feel
An act of fondling.
She gave me a quick feel to show that she loves me.
Touch
A small change or addition, or the effect achieved by it
Candlelight provided just the right touch.
Feel
A vague understanding.
I'm getting a feel for what you mean.
Touch
A suggestion, hint, or tinge
A touch of jealousy.
Feel
An intuitive ability.
She has a feel for music.
Touch
A mild attack
A touch of the flu.
Feel
A feeling; an emotion.
I know that feel.
Touch
A small amount; a dash
A touch of paprika.
Feel
Alternative form of fele
Touch
A manner or technique of striking the keys of a keyboard instrument
He played briskly with a light touch.
Feel
Alternative form of fele
Touch
The resistance to pressure characteristic of the keys of a keyboard
An old piano with uneven touch.
Feel
Alternative form of fele
Touch
An ability to propel a ball a desired distance; control or accuracy
A golfer with no touch around the green.
Feel
To perceive by the touch; to take cognizance of by means of the nerves of sensation distributed all over the body, especially by those of the skin; to have sensation excited by contact of (a thing) with the body or limbs.
Who feelThose rods of scorpions and those whips of steel.
Touch
A facility; a knack
Retained his touch as a carpenter in his retirement.
Feel
To touch; to handle; to examine by touching; as, feel this piece of silk; hence, to make trial of; to test; often with out.
Come near, . . . that I may feel thee, my son.
He hath this to feel my affection to your honor.
Touch
A characteristic way of doing things
Recognized my friend's touch in the choice of the card.
Feel
To perceive by the mind; to have a sense of; to experience; to be affected by; to be sensible of, or sensitive to; as, to feel pleasure; to feel pain.
Teach me to feel another's woe.
Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing.
He best can paint them who shall feel them most.
Mankind have felt their strength and made it felt.
Touch
The state of being in contact or communication
Kept in touch with several classmates.
Out of touch with current trends.
Feel
To take internal cognizance of; to be conscious of; to have an inward persuasion of.
For then, and not till then, he felt himself.
Touch
An official stamp indicating the quality of a metal product.
Feel
To perceive; to observe.
Touch
The act of approaching someone for a loan or handout.
Feel
To have perception by the touch, or by contact of anything with the nerves of sensation, especially those upon the surface of the body.
Touch
A prospect for a loan or handout
A generous person, a soft touch for beggars.
Feel
To have the sensibilities moved or affected.
[She] feels with the dignity of a Roman matron
And mine as man, who feel for all mankind.
Touch
The area just outside the sidelines in soccer or just outside and including the sidelines in rugby.
Feel
To be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, persuasion, physical condition, etc.; to perceive one's self to be; - followed by an adjective describing the state, etc.; as, to feel assured, grieved, persuaded.
I then did feel full sick.
Touch
Touch football.
Feel
To know with feeling; to be conscious; hence, to know certainly or without misgiving.
Garlands . . . which I feelI am not worthy yet to wear.
Touch
Primarily physical senses.
Feel
To appear to the touch; to give a perception; to produce an impression by the nerves of sensation; - followed by an adjective describing the kind of sensation.
Blind men say black feels rough, and white feels smooth.
Touch
(transitive) To make physical contact with; to bring the hand, finger or other part of the body into contact with.
Feel
Feeling; perception.
To intercept and have a more kindly feel of its genial warmth.
Touch
(transitive) To come into (involuntary) contact with; to meet or intersect.
Feel
A sensation communicated by touching; impression made upon one who touches or handles; as, this leather has a greasy feel.
The difference between these two tumors will be distinguished by the feel.
Touch
(intransitive) To come into physical contact, or to be in physical contact.
Feel
An intuitive awareness;
He has a feel for animals
It's easy when you get the feel of it
Touch
(intransitive) To make physical contact with a thing.
Feel
The general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people;
The feel of the city excited him
A clergyman improved the tone of the meeting
It had the smell of treason
Touch
(transitive) To physically disturb; to interfere with, molest, or attempt to harm through contact.
If you touch her, I'll kill you.
Feel
A property perceived by touch
Touch
(transitive) To make intimate physical contact with a person.
Feel
Manual-genital stimulation for sexual pleasure;
The girls hated it when he tried to sneak a feel
Touch
To sexually excite with the fingers; to finger or masturbate.
Feel
Undergo an emotional sensation;
She felt resentful
He felt regret
Touch
(transitive) To cause to be briefly in contact with something.
He quickly touched his knee to the worn marble.
The demonstrator nearly touched the rod on the ball.
She touched her lips to the glass.
Feel
Come to believe on the basis of emotion, intuitions, or indefinite grounds;
I feel that he doesn't like me
I find him to be obnoxious
I found the movie rather entertaining
Touch
(transitive) To physically affect in specific ways implied by context.
Feel
Perceive by a physical sensation, e.g., coming from the skin or muscles;
He felt the wind
She felt an object brushing her arm
He felt his flesh crawl
She felt the heat when she got out of the car
Touch
(transitive) To consume, or otherwise use.
Feel
Seem with respect to a given sensation given;
My cold is gone--I feel fine today
She felt tired after the long hike
Touch
(intransitive) Of a ship or its passengers: to land, to make a short stop (at).
Feel
Have a feeling or perception about oneself in reaction to someone's behavior or attitude;
She felt small and insignificant
You make me feel naked
I made the students feel different about themselves
Touch
To lay hands on (someone suffering from scrofula) as a form of cure, as formerly practised by English and French monarchs.
Feel
Undergo passive experience of:
We felt the effects of inflation
Her fingers felt their way through the string quartet
She felt his contempt of her
Touch
To fasten; to take effect; to make impression.
Feel
Be felt or perceived in a certain way;
The ground feels shaky
The sheets feel soft
Touch
(nautical) To bring (a sail) so close to the wind that its weather leech shakes.
Feel
Grope or feel in search of something;
He felt for his wallet
Touch
To be brought, as a sail, so close to the wind that its weather leech shakes.
Feel
Examine by touch;
Feel this soft cloth!
The customer fingered the sweater
Touch
(nautical) To keep the ship as near (the wind) as possible.
To touch the wind
Feel
Examine (a body part) by palpation;
The nurse palpated the patient's stomach
The runner felt her pulse
Touch
Primarily non-physical senses.
Feel
Find by testing or cautious exploration;
He felt his way around the dark room
Touch
(transitive) To imbue or endow with a specific quality.
My grandfather, as many people know, was touched with greatness.
Feel
Produce a certain impression;
It feels nice to be home again
Touch
To deal with in speech or writing; to mention briefly, to allude to.
Feel
Pass one's hands over the sexual organs of;
He felt the girl in the movie theater
Touch
(intransitive) To deal with in speech or writing; briefly to speak or write (on or upon something).
Feel
Feel can refer to experiencing an emotion.
She could feel the joy radiating from him.
Touch
(transitive) To concern, to have to do with.
Feel
Feel denotes sensing something physically.
I can feel the cold breeze against my face.
Touch
(transitive) To affect emotionally; to bring about tender or painful feelings in.
Stefan was touched by the song's message of hope.
Touch
To affect in a negative way, especially only slightly.
He had been drinking over lunch, and was clearly touched.
Touch
To give royal assent to by touching it with the sceptre.
The bill was finally touched after many hours of deliberation.
Touch
To obtain money from, usually by borrowing (from a friend).
I was running short, so I touched old Bertie for a fiver.
Touch
To disturb the mental functions of; to make somewhat insane; often followed with "in the head".
You must be touched if you think I'm taking your advice.
Touch
To be on the level of; to approach in excellence or quality.
Touch
(transitive) To come close to; to approach.
Touch
To mark (a file or document) as having been modified.
Touch
To try; to prove, as with a touchstone.
Touch
To mark or delineate with touches; to add a slight stroke to with the pencil or brush.
Touch
(obsolete) To infect; to affect slightly.
Touch
To strike; to manipulate; to play on.
To touch an instrument of music
Touch
To perform, as a tune; to play.
Touch
To influence by impulse; to impel forcibly.
Touch
An act of touching, especially with the hand or finger.
Suddenly, in the crowd, I felt a touch at my shoulder.
Touch
The faculty or sense of perception by physical contact.
With the lights out, she had to rely on touch to find her desk.
Touch
The style or technique with which one plays a musical instrument.
He performed one of Ravel's piano concertos with a wonderfully light and playful touch.
Touch
(music) The particular or characteristic mode of action, or the resistance of the keys of an instrument to the fingers.
A heavy touch, or a light touch
Touch
A distinguishing feature or characteristic.
Clever touches like this are what make her such a brilliant writer.
Touch
A little bit; a small amount.
Move it left just a touch and it will be perfect.
I'd like to see a touch more enthusiasm in the project.
Touch
The part of a sports field beyond the touchlines or goal-lines.
He got the ball, and kicked it straight out into touch.
Touch
A relationship of close communication or understanding.
He promised to keep in touch while he was away.
Lose touch
Touch
The ability to perform a task well; aptitude.
I used to be a great chess player but I've lost my touch.
Touch
(obsolete) Act or power of exciting emotion.
Touch
(obsolete) An emotion or affection.
Touch
(obsolete) Personal reference or application.
Touch
A single stroke on a drawing or a picture.
Touch
(obsolete) A brief essay.
Touch
(obsolete) A touchstone; hence, stone of the sort used for touchstone.
Touch
(obsolete) Examination or trial by some decisive standard; test; proof; tried quality.
Touch
(shipbuilding) The broadest part of a plank worked top and but, or of one worked anchor-stock fashion (that is, tapered from the middle to both ends); also, the angles of the stern timbers at the counters.
Touch
The children's game of tag.
Touch
(bell-ringing) A set of changes less than the total possible on seven bells, i.e. less than 5,040.
Touch
(slang) An act of borrowing or stealing something.
Touch
Tallow.
Touch
Form; standard of performance.
Touch
(Australian rules football) A disposal of the ball during a game, i.e. a kick or a handball.
Touch
To come in contact with; to hit or strike lightly against; to extend the hand, foot, or the like, so as to reach or rest on.
Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spearTouched lightly.
Touch
To perceive by the sense of feeling.
Nothing but body can be touched or touch.
Touch
To come to; to reach; to attain to.
The god, vindictive, doomed them never more-Ah, men unblessed! - to touch their natal shore.
Touch
To try; to prove, as with a touchstone.
Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed.
Touch
To relate to; to concern; to affect.
The quarrel toucheth none but us alone.
Touch
To handle, speak of, or deal with; to treat of.
Storial thing that toucheth gentilesse.
Touch
To meddle or interfere with; as, I have not touched the books.
Touch
To affect the senses or the sensibility of; to move; to melt; to soften; especially, to cause feelings of pity, compassion, sympathy, or gratitude in.
What of sweet beforeHath touched my sense, flat seems to this and harsh.
The tender sire was touched with what he said.
Touch
To mark or delineate with touches; to add a slight stroke to with the pencil or brush.
The lines, though touched but faintly, are drawn right.
Touch
To infect; to affect slightly.
Touch
To make an impression on; to have effect upon.
Its face . . . so hard that a file will not touch it.
Touch
To strike; to manipulate; to play on; as, to touch an instrument of music.
[They] touched their golden harps.
Touch
To perform, as a tune; to play.
A person is the royal retinue touched a light and lively air on the flageolet.
Touch
To influence by impulse; to impel forcibly.
Touch
To harm, afflict, or distress.
Let us make a covenant with thee, that thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee.
Touch
To affect with insanity, especially in a slight degree; to make partially insane; - rarely used except in the past participle.
She feared his head was a little touched.
Touch
To lay a hand upon for curing disease.
Touch
To compare with; to be equal to; - usually with a negative; as, he held that for good cheer nothing could touch an open fire.
Touch
To induce to give or lend; to borrow from; as, to touch one for a loan; hence, to steal from.
Touch
To be in contact; to be in a state of junction, so that no space is between; as, two spheres touch only at points.
Touch
To fasten; to take effect; to make impression.
Strong waters pierce metals, and will touch upon gold, that will not touch upon silver.
Touch
To treat anything in discourse, especially in a slight or casual manner; - often with on or upon.
If the antiquaries have touched upon it, they immediatelyquitted it.
Touch
To be brought, as a sail, so close to the wind that its weather leech shakes.
Touch
The act of touching, or the state of being touched; contact.
Their touch affrights me as a serpent's sting.
Touch
The sense by which pressure or traction exerted on the skin is recognized; the sense by which the properties of bodies are determined by contact; the tactile sense. See Tactile sense, under Tactile.
The spider's touch, how exquisitely fine.
Touch
Act or power of exciting emotion.
Not aloneThe death of Fulvia, with more urgent touches,Do strongly speak to us.
Touch
An emotion or affection.
A true, natural, and a sensible touch of mercy.
Touch
Personal reference or application.
Speech of touch toward others should be sparingly used.
Touch
A stroke; as, a touch of raillery; a satiric touch; hence, animadversion; censure; reproof.
I never bare any touch of conscience with greater regret.
Touch
A single stroke on a drawing or a picture.
Never give the least touch with your pencil till you have well examined your design.
Touch
Feature; lineament; trait.
Of many faces, eyes, and hearts,To have the touches dearest prized.
Touch
The act of the hand on a musical instrument; bence, in the plural, musical notes.
Soft stillness and the nightBecome the touches of sweet harmony.
Touch
A small quantity intermixed; a little; a dash.
Eyes La touch of Sir Peter Lely in them.
Madam, I have a touch of your condition.
Touch
A hint; a suggestion; slight notice.
A small touch will put him in mind of them.
Touch
A slight and brief essay.
Print my preface in such form as, in the booksellers' phrase, will make a sixpenny touch.
Touch
A touchstone; hence, stone of the sort used for touchstone.
A neat new monument of touch and alabaster.
Touch
Hence, examination or trial by some decisive standard; test; proof; tried quality.
Equity, the true touch of all laws.
Friends of noble touch .
Touch
The particular or characteristic mode of action, or the resistance of the keys of an instrument to the fingers; as, a heavy touch, or a light touch; also, the manner of touching, striking, or pressing the keys of a piano; as, a legato touch; a staccato touch.
Touch
That part of the field which is beyond the line of flags on either side.
Touch
A boys' game; tag.
Touch
A set of changes less than the total possible on seven bells, that is, less than 5,040.
Touch
An act of borrowing or stealing.
Touch
Tallow; - a plumber's term.
My mind and senses keep touch and time.
Touch
The event of something coming in contact with the body;
He longed for the touch of her hand
The cooling touch of the night air
Touch
The faculty of touch;
Only sight and touch enable us to locate objects in the space around us
Touch
A suggestion of some quality;
There was a touch of sarcasm in his tone
He detected a ghost of a smile on her face
Touch
A distinguishing style;
This room needs a woman's touch
Touch
The act of putting two things together with no space between them;
At his touch the room filled with lights
Touch
A slight but appreciable addition;
This dish could use a touch of garlic
Touch
A communicative interaction;
The pilot made contact with the base
He got in touch with his colleagues
Touch
A slight attack of illness;
He has a touch of rheumatism
Touch
The act of soliciting money (as a gift or loan);
He watched the beggar trying to make a touch
Touch
The sensation produced by pressure receptors in the skin;
She likes the touch of silk on her skin
The surface had a greasy feeling
Touch
Deftness in handling matters;
He has a master's touch
Touch
The feel of mechanical action;
This piano has a wonderful touch
Touch
Make physical contact with, come in contact with;
Touch the stone for good luck
She never touched her husband
Touch
Perceive via the tactile sense;
Helen Keller felt the physical world by touching people and objects around her
Touch
Affect emotionally;
A stirring movie
I was touched by your kind letter of sympathy
Touch
Have to do with or be relevant to;
There were lots of questions referring to her talk
My remark pertained to your earlier comments
Touch
Be in direct physical contact with; make contact;
The two buildings touch
Their hands touched
The wire must not contact the metal cover
The surfaces contact at this point
Touch
Have an effect upon;
Will the new rules affect me?
Touch
Deal with; usually used with a form of negation;
I wouldn't touch her with a ten-foot pole
The local Mafia won't touch gambling
Touch
Cause to be in brief contact with;
He touched his toes to the horse's flanks
Touch
To extend as far as;
The sunlight reached the wall
Can he reach?
The chair must not touch the wall
Touch
Be equal to in quality or ability;
Nothing can rival cotton for durability
Your performance doesn't even touch that of your colleagues
Her persistence and ambition only matches that of her parents
Touch
Tamper with;
Don't touch my CDs!
Touch
Make a more or less disguised reference to;
He alluded to the problem but did not mention it
Touch
Comprehend;
He could not touch the meaning of the poem
Touch
Consume;
She didn't touch her food all night
Touch
Dye with a color
Touch
Touch sometimes means handling or managing.
He has a touch for gardening.
Common Curiosities
Does Touch always refer to a physical action?
Mostly, but it can also mean affecting someone emotionally or having a particular skill or aptitude.
What is the primary meaning of Touch?
Touch primarily means making physical contact with something or someone.
How does Feel differ in terms of subjectivity?
Feel is often subjective, based on personal emotions or interpretations.
What does Feel generally refer to?
Feel usually refers to experiencing emotions, sensations, or intuitions.
Can Feel and Touch be used interchangeably?
While they sometimes overlap, especially regarding physical sensations, they have distinct primary meanings.
Which word is more commonly used in emotional contexts?
Feel is more commonly associated with emotions.
Can Feel relate to intuition?
Yes, someone might say, "I feel that something is wrong," indicating intuition.
Is Touch more objective than Feel?
Generally, yes. Touch offers a more direct, tangible experience.
Can Touch be used figuratively?
Yes, as in "His speech touched many hearts."
How does Touch relate to skills or aptitudes?
Phrases like "He has a good touch with plants" suggest a knack or aptitude.
How can Feel and Touch overlap in context?
Both can refer to physical sensations, as in "I feel the heat" and "I touched the hot plate."
Which word is more versatile in language?
Feel is more versatile, covering emotions, physical sensations, and intuitions.
Can Touch relate to brief contacts?
Yes, it can suggest light or momentary contact, like a feather touching the skin.
Which word delves deeper into personal experiences?
Feel often explores deeper, subjective experiences and emotions.
Is it correct to say "I feel the texture"?
Yes, indicating a sensation. However, "I touch the texture" emphasizes the action.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
