ENGLISH
REFERENCE

touched

adj.
US //ˈtətʃt// UK //tˈʌtʃt// touched
  1. 1 emotionally moved (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    feeling happy, grateful, or a little sad because someone did something kind for you.

    feeling a sense of gratitude, sympathy, or emotional resonance due to an act of kindness or a poignant situation.

    Example

    I was deeply touched when my colleagues bought me a farewell gift.

    Example

    She was visibly touched by the community's overwhelming support following the accident, noting that their kindness gave her the strength to recover.

    Usage

    Often followed by the preposition 'by'.
  2. 2 mentally unwell (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Informal Archaic

    an old-fashioned and slightly rude way to say someone is a bit crazy or not thinking clearly.

    a colloquial and often derogatory term for someone perceived as mentally unstable or eccentric.

    Example

    The old man was a bit touched in the head, but he was harmless.

    Example

    In the village, he was regarded as slightly touched, though his strange predictions occasionally proved remarkably accurate.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is often found in older literature or used by older speakers; it can be offensive and should be used with caution.
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