touchy

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word touchy. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word touchy, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say touchy in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word touchy you have here. The definition of the word touchy will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition oftouchy, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

A variant of earlier tetchy (cranky, easily annoyed, difficult to handle), under influence from some senses of touch (affect, disturb) and simulating touch +‎ -y.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈtʌt͡ʃi/
  • (file)

Adjective

touchy (comparative touchier, superlative touchiest)

  1. (of a situation) Extremely sensitive or volatile; easily disturbed to the point of becoming unstable; requiring caution or tactfulness.
    It is an extremely touchy situation, with everybody's patience wearing thin.
  2. (of a person) Easily offended, oversensitive.
    He can be very touchy when you talk about his cat, so be as tactful as possible.
  3. (informal) Inclined to engage in physical touch.
    Synonym: touchy-feely
    Antonym: untouchy

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

See also

Anagrams