touchy-feely

adjective

ˌtə-chē-ˈfē-lē 

: characterized by or encouraging interpersonal touching especially in the free expression of emotions

touchy-feely therapy

also : openly or excessively emotional and personal

gets all touchy-feely with his adoring fans

Synonyms

• demonstrative
• effusive
• emotional
• uninhibited
• unreserved
• unrestrained

Examples of touchy-feely in a Sentence

she is too touchy-feely and he is too stiff-upper-lip for their relationship to ever work out

Recent Examples on the Web

So, naturally, when one of Jacob’s students becomes patient zero of a ringworm outbreak at Abbott, the touchy-feely bubble of the early stage of Gregory’s relationship with Janine quickly bursts, becoming their first real speed bump since going public. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2024

At first glance, this is the kind of touchy-feely corporate propaganda that exists to convince employees the company cares about them and assure clients of its human touch. —Judy Berman, TIME, 2 Aug. 2024

But don’t be fooled by the introspective, touchy-feely Trump. —Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 21 July 2024

Heidi Klum and Tom Kaulitz are getting touchy-feely on their vacation! —Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 6 July 2024

Strays prides itself on being the counterpoint to the touchy-feely standard of the dog movie, though the subgenre isn’t all nose kisses and lesson-learning. —Charles Bramesco, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2024

Advertisement Return Home, also in Auburn, is the most touchy-feely of the three. —Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2024

Carolyn Hax columns about grandparents Perspective Carolyn Hax: How to talk about body autonomy with touchy-feely grandparents Advice Carolyn Hax: Does grandparent get second chance after nut-allergy mistake? —Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

Has any pop star this famous ever spent this much touchy-feely time in their audience? —Chris Richards, Washington Post, 20 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above