touch-type

IPA/ˈtʌtʃ taɪp/
IPA/ˈtʌtʃ taɪp/

touch-type — verb

  • touch-typepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • touch-typeshe / she / it
  • touch-typedpast simple
  • touch-typing-ing form

1. to write text on a keyboard by using your sense of touch and muscle memory to fi

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to write text on a keyboard by using your sense of touch and muscle memory to find the keys, so that you do not need to watch your fingers while you type

Example

After three months of practice, Emma could touch-type at sixty words per minute.

intransitive use + speed phrase

The receptionist touch-typed the appointment details while answering questions on the phone.

transitive use: touch-type + noun phrase

Common collocations
  • learn to touch-type
  • can touch-type
  • touch-type at [number] words per minute
  • touch-type accurately / efficiently
Synonyms
  • type

    general term for using a keyboard; 'touch-type' is a specific method — not all typing is touch-typing

  • key in

    informal, usually refers to entering data or codes, not necessarily with proper finger placement

Antonyms
  • hunt-and-peck

    informal term for typing with only one or two fingers while looking at each key

Grammar Patterns

touch-type (intransitive — no object needed)

touch-type + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often used in the continuous form (learning / practising touch-typing) or with modal verbs (can/can't touch-type). The noun form 'touch-typing' is more common than the verb.

Common Mistakes

I don't know how to touch-type well, so I always look down.
I can't touch-type well, so I always look down.
use 'can/can't' to describe ability, not 'know how to', which sounds unnatural.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Touch-type' and 'type' are closely related, but 'type' is the broad term for pressing keys on a keyboard regardless of method, while 'touch-type' specifies that you use all ten fingers without looking at the keys. 'Key in' is more informal and highlights data entry (e.g. 'key in a code'), often done with any number of fingers. 'Keyboard' as a verb (e.g. 'keyboarding skills') appears mostly in educational or workplace contexts and can describe any form of keyboard use. Example: 'Emma types all her reports on a laptop, but she can only touch-type since taking her course.'

type ↗key inkeyboard ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • learn to touch-type
  • touch-type at [number] wpm
  • touch-typing skills

Prepositions

  • at (speed)
  • on (a keyboard)

Etymology

Old FrenchLatinGreekEnglish

A compound verb formed from 'touch' (the sense of touch, from Old French 'touchier', meaning 'to strike or tap') and 'type' (from Latin 'typus' via Greek 'typos', meaning 'impression'). The concept of touch-typing emerged in the late 1800s when touch-typist jobs became common after the invention of the typewriter. The noun 'touch-typing' appeared first around 1880. The verb 'touch-type' was then formed by dropping the '-ing' ending — a process called back-formation.

First known use

1940

1940, in the meaning defined above