touching

[ tuhch-ing ]

adjective

1. affecting; moving; pathetic:

   a touching scene of farewell.

   Synonyms: piteous, poignant, stirring

2. that touches.

   Synonyms: tangent

preposition

1. in reference or relation to; concerning; about:

   He wrote touching future plans.

touching

/ ˈtʌtʃɪŋ /

adjective

1. evoking or eliciting tender feelings

   your sympathy is touching

preposition

1. on the subject of; relating to

Derived Forms

• ˈtouchingness, noun
• ˈtouchingly, adverb

Other Words From

• touching·ly adverb
• touching·ness noun
• un·touching adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of touching¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; touch + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Working in batches as needed, place the dumplings evenly across the pan, making sure they aren’t touching.

From Washington Post

You’re not getting it as much from touching surfaces and then touching your face.

From Voice of San Diego

This silence is partly because many people do not see the behavior as harassment – even if it involves touching, stalking or threats of harm and retaliation.

From No Straight News

We know breathing aerosols matters more for transmission than touching surfaces.

From FiveThirtyEight

We now know the root of the spread is not from touching surfaces and touching your eye.

From Nautilus

Here they are semi-touching at a grocery store; she likes kombucha.

From The Daily Beast

Their solidified friendship is one of the most touching details of the premiere, but it also puts Branson in a tricky predicament.

From The Daily Beast

What follows is hysterical, painful, weird, and strangely touching—a true Festivus for the rest of us.

From The Daily Beast

We are talking about public gatherings, people will be together, dancing, sweating, and touching each other.

From The Daily Beast

This is one of the most subtle and touching aspects of the profession.

From The Daily Beast

She sat perfectly still before the piano, not touching the keys, while Robert carried her message to Edna at the window.

From Project Gutenberg

Then Edwin was bending over it, with his ear close to her ear, and the sleeve of his overcoat touching her sleeve.

From Project Gutenberg

Here one can be alive and absorb something of the earth-forces that never get within touching distance in the cities.

From Project Gutenberg

The bridge should be fitted as accurately as the post, and as though it grew from the belly, the feet touching equally all round.

From Project Gutenberg

Indeed, 'we have laid upon him various arduous tasks touching the state of the country, and especially its tranquillity.'

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• heartbreaking
• pathetic
• poignant
• sad
• stirring
• stunning
• wistful