of or characterized by the overt display of affection, compassion, and other tender feelings, as through hugging, crying, etc.: used disparagingly to convey excess, indulgence, superficiality, etc.: a touchy-feely support group
adjective
- When a couple is always holding hands, hugging and frequently touching each other, this is an example of a time when you might describe them as touchy-feely.
- When a conversation centers around how you feel emotionally, this is an example of a touchy-feely conversation.
The definition of touchy-feeling is a derogatory term that refers to being overly open with emotions and affections.
YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2018 by LoveToKnow Corp
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"touchy-feely." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 05 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/touchy-feely>.
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touchy-feely. (n.d.). Retrieved December 05th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/touchy-feely
touchy-feely
Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fifth Edition Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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"touchy-feely." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 05 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/touchy-feely>.
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touchy-feely. (n.d.). Retrieved December 05th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/touchy-feely
touchy-feely
adjective
Informal- Marked by or emphasizing physical closeness and emotional openness: became uncomfortable when the group therapy session got too touchy-feely.
- Based on sentiment or intuition, especially to the exclusion of critical judgment: “a book that proves the existence of the Almighty … without recourse to spiritual mumbo jumbo or any of that touchy-feely faith stuff” ( Adam Begley )
THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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MLA Style
"touchy-feely." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 05 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/touchy-feely>.
APA Style
touchy-feely. (n.d.). Retrieved December 05th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/touchy-feely
Adjective
(comparative more touchy-feely, superlative most touchy-feely)
- (informal) Having a fondness for physical contact with other people, especially to an excessive degree.
- My last boyfriend was a lovely guy, but I dumped him because he was too touchy-feely with me in public.
- (idiomatic, usually derogatory) Driven by intuition or emotion, with a connotation of de-emphasis of rational thought or logic.
- He preferred the clarity of science and left the touchy-feely stuff to others.
- (idiomatic, usually derogatory) Appealing to emotion, sympathy, or romance.
- I think the movie had too much touchy-feely nonsense and not enough action.
English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.
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MLA Style
"touchy-feely." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 05 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/touchy-feely>.
APA Style
touchy-feely. (n.d.). Retrieved December 05th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/touchy-feely
Sentence Examples
- Some guy, who obviously had more interest in her than the art, got a little touchy-feely.
- This touchy-feely shit is giving me hives.
Words near touchy-feely in the dictionary
- touchy-feely
- tough
- tough-as-nails
- tough-cake