English Reference

Word

touched

US/ˈtətʃt/

UK/tˈʌtʃt/

Definitions

01emotionally moved

B2 · Upper Intermediate

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

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

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

“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'.

Synonyms

movedaffectedstirred

Antonyms

indifferentunmoved

02mentally unwell

C2 · Proficiency Informal · Archaic

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

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

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

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

Teaching tip

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

Synonyms

eccentricunbalanced

Antonyms

sanelucid

Real-World Examples

“She told PA Media: “Her music touched a lot of people, especially me.”
The Guardian 15 Aug 2026
“All of the poetry I’d studied up to the point of discovering him felt deeply serious, almost something not to be touched.”
The Guardian 14 Aug 2026

Word family

ADJECTIVE

touched(B2)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Common
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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English Reference