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touchy-feely

touchy-feely

22 7.9
Openly showing too much emotion and physical closeness that makes others uncomfortable
  • adjective
  • /ˈtʌtʃi ˈfili/
  • Informal
: 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
147 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
10 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
7 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
5 7.0

Liking to give or receive hugs

is broader emotional display that can include more than physical hugging
soppy
vstouchy-feely
  • UK
2 5.8

Too emotional and sentimental in a way that seems silly

is a more physical or demonstrative affection that may upset people
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
slobbery
vstouchy-feely
  • Informal
1 4.9

Too sentimental and not sincere

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

Antonyms

29 3.7

Not willing to show feelings or talk much

1 6.3

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

How Affectionate

touchy-feely
  • Informal
22 7.9
warm
321 1.0
affectionate
49 2.2
reserved
29 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.