touchy

adjective

ˈtə-chē 

touchier; touchiest

1

: marked by readiness to take offense on slight provocation

he's a little touchy about his past

2

: calling for tact, care, or caution in treatment

a touchy subject

3

a

of a body part : acutely sensitive or irritable

b

of a chemical : highly explosive or inflammable

touchily

ˈtə-chə-lē 

adverb

touchiness

ˈtə-chē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• huffy
• tetchy
• thin-skinned
• ticklish

Examples of touchy in a Sentence

Don't be so touchy. I was just kidding.

watch what you say around him, as he's very touchy about every little thing

Recent Examples on the Web

Longtime etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore weighs in on the touchy subject. —Emily Strohm, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 2024

Offer Access To Expert Advisors And Tools Credit can be a touchy subject with customers. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024

The song itself is lyrically complex and clear-sighted in its treatment of the touchy subject of addiction. —Spin Contributor, SPIN, 11 Sep. 2024

Jurors could be asked their views about former drug users Another touchy subject area deals with feelings toward people addicted to drugs or alcohol. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing touchy

• touchy-feely

Kids Definition

touchy

adjective

ˈtəch-ē 

touchier; touchiest

1

: easily hurt or insulted

2

: calling for tact or careful handling

a touchy subject