adjective
preposition
Other Word Forms
- touchingly adverb
- touchingness noun
- untouching adjective
Etymology
Origin of touching
Explanation
Something that is touching affects you emotionally—it makes you feel sad or tender. A touching video about baby hedgehogs might even make your stoic older sister cry. The adjective touching comes from a particular meaning of the verb touch, "to affect or move mentally or emotionally," from the idea that something has "touched" your mind or heart. Your book report might describe the story you read as touching if it left you wiping away a tear.
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.
In the days since the accusation became public, other women have come forward with allegations of misconduct, including claims of unwanted touching and inappropriate behavior, according to CNN and other outlets.
From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026
Close honors Wooden before every game at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion by touching each of the 10 national championship banners that Wooden won.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
The ball bounced favourably for Darcy Graham after Thompson's charged down kick and he gleefully took full advantage, chipping the ball over Keenan before touching down ahead of Gibson-Park.
From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026
For the tale of an emotional affair touching on issues of mental health, a first-time filmmaker gives Peet what could be the meatiest role of her career.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
Lily reached for Cat and Chicken, touching their faces.
From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
