# touchy

/ˈtətʃi/ (US) · /tˈʌtʃi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/touchy
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. easily offended

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

getting angry or upset very easily, often about small things.

For teachers: oversensitive or irritable; prone to taking offense at minor slights.

- Be careful what you say to him today; he is very touchy about his new haircut.
- The manager has been particularly touchy since the audit began, so I would advise against bringing up the budget discrepancies just yet.

### 2. a delicate subject

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

a topic or situation that is difficult to handle and needs a lot of care to avoid trouble.

For teachers: requiring delicate handling or tact due to the potential for volatility or offense.

- Politics can be a touchy subject at family dinners.
- The boundary dispute remains a touchy issue between the two nations, complicating any attempts at a formal trade agreement.

### 3. physically affectionate

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

liking to touch other people a lot, for example by hugging them or putting a hand on their arm.

For teachers: inclined to engage in frequent physical contact with others during social interaction.

- She is a very touchy person who always gives her friends a big hug.
- While some cultures find a touchy communication style to be warm and engaging, others may perceive it as an intrusion of personal space.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'touchy-feely' to describe someone who is overly physical or emotional.

## Examples

- He is very touchy about his height.
- Be careful what you say to her today; she is a bit touchy because she didn't sleep well.
- The CEO is notoriously touchy regarding questions about the company's recent stock performance, so the PR team usually vets all interview topics in advance.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.