ADJ

delicate, gentle, light, slight
The slightest touch will set off the alarm

PREP

at sb/sth's ~
The door swung open at his touch. You can now do your shopping at the touch of a button

ADJ

final, finishing
decorative, festive, homely, romantic
The family photos give the room a homely touch
humorous
classy, lovely, nice, professional
Giving her flowers was a nice touch
feminine, human, idiosyncratic, individual, personal
little
The decor includes many idiosyncratic little touches

VERB + TOUCH

add, give sth, put
She's just putting the finishing touches to her painting

ADJ

golden, magic
deft, sure
With students she had a sure touch and showed great personal sensitivity
light
He handles this controversial subject with a light touch
political
He found his old political touch when the crisis emerged

VERB + TOUCH

find
lose
Maybe the champion is losing her magic touch

ADJ

little, subtle
welcome

VERB + TOUCH

add, bring
Her speech brought a welcome touch of humour to the evening

PREP

with a ~ of
'Thanks,' she said, with a touch of sarcasm
~ of

ADJ

close
The security staff were in close touch with the local police

VERB + TOUCH

get in
I'm trying to get in touch with Jane. Do you have her number?
keep in, stay in
It is important to keep in touch with the latest research. Let's keep in touch
put sb in
I'll put you in touch with someone in your area
lose
I've lost touch with all my old friends

PREP

in ~
Are you still in touch with your friends from college?
out of ~
This government is increasingly out of touch with ordinary voters
~ with

ADV

(not) actually, not even, not quite
He did not actually touch the substance, but may have inhaled microparticles
barely, hardly, scarcely
You've hardly touched your food (= not eaten it)
almost, nearly, practically
Their faces were almost touching
just
briefly
His fingers briefly touched hers
gently, lightly
gingerly
accidentally, inadvertently
He accidentally touched a live wire attached to overhead power cables
never
He said I kicked him, but I never touched him!

VERB + TOUCH

want to
(not) dare (to)
Don't you dare touch me!
reach out to
Her hand reached out to touch his cheek
let sb
He wouldn't let me touch the wound

PREP

on
He touched her gently on the arm
with
She touched him with her hand

ADV

deeply
The story touched me very deeply
PHRASAL VERBS touch on/upon sth
briefly
just, merely
Photojournalism and the birth of photography are merely touched on in the book

VERB + TOUCH

want to
I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem