touch·y-feel·y

(tŭch′ē-fē′lē)

adj. Informal

1. Marked by or emphasizing physical closeness and emotional openness: became uncomfortable when the group therapy session got too touchy-feely.

2. 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).

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

touchy-feely

(ˈtʌtʃɪˈfiːlɪ)

adj

informal sometimes derogatory openly displaying one's emotions and affections

ˈtouchy-ˈfeeliness n

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

touch•y-feel•y

(ˈtʌtʃ iˈfi li)
adj.

Informal. emphasizing or marked by emotional openness and enthusiastic physicality.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Adj.

touchy-feely - (often derogatory) openly expressing love and affection (especially through physical contact)

depreciation - a communication that belittles somebody or something

loving - feeling or showing love and affection; "loving parents"; "loving glances"

Translations

touchy-feely

[ˈtʌtʃɪfiːlɪ] ADJ [person] → sobón; [talk, session] → íntimo

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

touchy-feely

adj (pej) → sentimental; she is very touchy-feely → sie hat gern viel Körperkontakt; a touchy-feely song → eine zuckersüße Schnulze (inf)

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

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References in periodicals archive

Lingering glances across the cafeteria from Lilly (Odessa Young) test James's resolve as he clashes with clarinet-playing roommate Miles Davis (Charles Parnell) and rejects the touchy-feely approach of staff psychologist Joanne (Juliette Lewis).

A MILLION LITTLE PIECES (15)

But it is refreshing to see that in 2019 men can feel relaxed and touchy-feely with each other.

Island kiss is way to bro

Britain's blokes were asked what qualities make a REAL man and the top 20 were an encouraging mix of macho and touchy-feely.

I SPY A CHANGE IN OUR GUYS

A TORY MP yesterday raised fears "touchy-feely political correctness" could damage the armed forces.

'Don't let PC brigade ruin British Army'

We've enjoyed seeing Simon Cowell's emerging touchy-feely side (above with Alesha, David and Amanda) and the acts so far, but it'd be great to crank up the excitement with a few more big hitters.

SATURDAY; May 17

You might think of a hug as only a touchy-feely greeting.

A hug a day helps keeps stress at bay

I was about to brush it off for being touchy-feely, when several instances of metalcasting companies practicing conscious capitalism came effortlessly to mind.

Casting with a conscience

London, August 6 ( ANI ): Viewers of the London 2012 Olympics are complaining about the over-excited 'touchy-feely' displays of congratulation or consolation from the BBC's presenters during post-event interviews.

Olympic viewers unhappy over BBC reporters' 'touch-feely' interviews

And despite Fiona Bruce's efforts to do a touchy-feely interview with him last week, the old warrior was having none of it.

HERO OF WEEK

Designed and released as an Usborne Touchy-Feely book for toddlers and pre-readers, "Penguins" is a beautiful board book filled with text and textured illustrations of and about penguins.

Penguins