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touchy-feely

touchy-feely

12 7.9
Openly showing too much emotion and physical closeness that makes others uncomfortable
  • adjective
  • /ˈtʌtʃi ˈfili/
  • Informal
translation icon : efusivo
  • In his role as a counselor, Mark has to be touchy-feely to connect with his clients effectively.
  • touchy-feely stuff
  • touchy-feely guy
  • very touchy-feely

It was all touchy feely and all up to you.

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Examples

  • She was the touchy-feely type.

    Blog text (26)
  • My aunt is quite touchy-feely; she always hugs everyone at family gatherings.

  • My partner is frequently touchy-feely with me.

    Blog text (12)
  • Look, Brian, I'm not one of those touchy-feely kind of coaches, you know.

  • The man absolutely adores his wife, but she is not touchy-feely like he is.

    Blog text (2)
  • She says the pair requested a private table and were very touchy-feely.

    Blog text (19)
  • I feel most workplace cultures are too darned "touchy-feely."

    Blog text (24)
  • Some employees feel uncomfortable with the manager's touchy-feely style during team meetings.

Synonyms

sentimental
vstouchy-feely
165 4.5

Having strong warm feelings about people or things from the past, often too emotional

is more about present outward affection that can bother other people
dovey
vstouchy-feely
  • Informal
5 8.3

Being very loving and sweet in a way that feels too romantic

is more openly emotional and can make others uncomfortable rather than just gentle
handsy
vstouchy-feely
  • Offensive
3 9.7

Likely to touch people too much in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable

is emotionally overt and may make others uncomfortable rather than only touching
huggy
vstouchy-feely
  • Informal
3 7.0

Liking to give or receive hugs

is broader emotional display that can include more than physical hugging
smoochy
vstouchy-feely
  • Informal
2 7.1

Showing romantic feelings like kissing or cuddling in a very sweet way

is general emotional display that may not be specifically romantic or physical
kissy
vstouchy-feely
  • Informal
1 8.0

Acting overly loving but not sincere

is sincere emotional show that can nevertheless make others uncomfortable
soppy
vstouchy-feely
  • UK
1 5.8

Too emotional and sentimental in a way that seems silly

is a more physical or demonstrative affection that may upset people
smothery
vstouchy-feely
1 8.4

Too much care or attention that makes someone feel trapped

is openly affectionate but may upset others rather than restrict them
slobbery
vstouchy-feely
  • Informal
4.9

Too sentimental and not sincere

is openly affectionate in ways that can make others uncomfortable rather than theatrical

Antonyms

1 6.3

A person who does not show strong feelings even when hurt or sad

3.7

Not willing to show feelings or talk much

How Affectionate

touchy-feely
  • Informal
12 7.9
warm
280 1.0
affectionate
56 2.2
reserved
3.7

Surface Forms

touchy-feely positive

Morphology

touchy-feely = touchy + feely (transparent) = touch + feel + y + y

The compound transparently combines two adjectives 'touchy' and 'feely' whose meanings ('inclined to touch' and 'inclined to show feeling') directly yield the sense.

Etymology

Touchy-feely comes from the simple words touch and feel, which are about 'touching' and 'showing emotion'. So, a touchy-feely person openly shows physical affection and strong feelings, often in a way that makes others uncomfortable.