touched

/tʌtʃt/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈʌtʃt] /tʌtʃt/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈʌtʃt] /ˈtəcht How to pronounce touched (audio)/ (ame, mw)

touched — adjective

  • touchedpositive
  • touchedercomparative
  • touchedestsuperlative

1. experiencing a gentle feeling of thankfulness and emotional warmth toward a pers

1.形容詞B2
釋義

experiencing a gentle feeling of thankfulness and emotional warmth toward a person who has been considerate or generous toward you

例句

Heather was deeply touched when her colleagues threw a surprise farewell party for her.

deeply touched — intensifier before adjective

Asher was visibly touched when his grandmother gave him his great-grandfather's old pocket watch.

touched + when-clause

同義詞
  • moved

    More general — can describe any emotional shift, not necessarily gratitude

  • grateful

    Focuses on thankfulness rather than emotional warmth; less about being stirred

  • affected

    More formal and can be neutral or negative; 'touched' is always positive in sense 1

反義詞
  • unmoved

    Feeling no emotional response; opposite of being stirred

  • indifferent

    Lacking any feeling or concern toward the kind act

文法句型

be touched + by + [noun phrase]

be touched + that-clause

be touched + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Frequently used with a prepositional phrase introduced by 'by' or 'at' that names the cause of the emotion. The passive-like pattern 'be touched by' is the most common structure, and 'touched' cannot usually be placed before a noun.

常見錯誤

❌I was very touching by his kind words.
✅I was very touched by his kind words.
💡'touching' describes the thing that causes emotion; 'touched' describes how you feel.
❌She was touched for the gift her friend sent.
✅She was touched by the gift her friend sent.
💡Use 'by' (not 'for') to introduce the cause of the feeling.

2. showing mild oddness or eccentricity that makes others consider the person unusu

2.形容詞C1
釋義

showing mild oddness or eccentricity that makes others consider the person unusual or not quite normal

例句

The villagers found Felix touched after he built a boat and sold it for scrap.

a bit touched — softening adverb

Naoko's relatives whispered that her great-aunt had been a little touched ever since the earthquake.

a little touched — common collocation

同義詞
  • eccentric

    More neutral and slightly more formal; often carries a positive or admiring tone

  • odd

    Broader in meaning; can describe people, events, or objects without implying mental state

  • mad

    Stronger and more direct; 'touched' is gentler and more old-fashioned

反義詞
  • sane

    Mentally sound and balanced; the opposite of eccentric or odd behaviour

  • normal

    Conforming to standard behaviour; what 'touched' deviates from

文法句型

be + a bit/a little + touched

be + considered/thought + touched

用法筆記

Typically used with softening modifiers like 'a bit' or 'a little' to imply a harmless eccentricity rather than a serious condition. Considered old-fashioned in many dialects; a modern listener might use 'eccentric' or 'not quite right' instead.

常見錯誤

❌My uncle is completely touched — he needs medical help.
✅My uncle is a bit touched, but he is harmless.
💡'touched' describes mild eccentricity, not a serious mental condition; avoid strong intensifiers like 'completely.'