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contactless

American  
[kon-takt-lis] / ˈkɒn tækt lɪs /

adjective

  1. noting or relating to RFID technology or devices that use radio waves to relay identifying information to an electronic reader, so that the device does not need to be in direct contact with the reader.

    contactless credit and debit cards.

  2. of or relating to an activity or interaction in which people do not touch one another or come into close proximity.

    contactless food delivery.


contactless British  
/ ˈkɒntæktlɪs /

adjective

  1. without contacts

  2. referring to payment systems which use RFID technology and do not require the customer's signature or pin number

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of contactless

First recorded in 2000–05; contact + -less

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Just remember to give yourself plenty of time in case of unexpected travel delays and to have a contactless payment method handy for Metro fees.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 11, 2026

This could lead to technologies such as frictional metamaterials, adaptive damping systems, and contactless control components.

From Science Daily Mar. 22, 2026

However, changes to paper ticketing time restrictions to align with Transport for London's contactless structure have meant some services that could previously be used with an off-peak ticket now require a more expensive peak ticket.

From BBC Dec. 27, 2025

Tickets can be bought online or at the fountain with cards or other contactless payment methods, officials said.

From Barron's Dec. 19, 2025

The proportion of adults regularly using physical contactless cards dipped slightly as a result, although debit cards remain the most popular way to pay.

From BBC Sep. 30, 2025

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