touch base

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

base¹ /beɪs/   n., adj., v., based, bas•ing. 
n. [countable]

1. the part on which something stands:
   The base of the lamp was made of marble.
2. a fundamental principle;
   basis:
   data to be used as a base for further research.
3. the principal element in a mixture:
   A soup with a base of chicken broth.
4. a starting point from which something is begun.
5. Military a place from which military operations proceed:
   an army base.
6. Sport
   • any of the four corners of a baseball diamond.
   • a square canvas sack marking such a corner.
7. • the lower side of a figure, such as a triangle, in geometry;
     the side to which an altitude can be drawn.
   • the number that serves as a starting point for certain mathematical operations.
   • the number of symbols used in a numerical system.
8. Chemistry
   • a chemical compound that reacts with an acid to form a salt.
9. Grammar the part of a word to which certain prefixes, suffixes, or other markers may be added.

adj. [before a noun]

10. serving as or forming a base:
    the explorer's base camp.

v. 

11. to make, form, or establish:
    [~ + object + on/upon + object] He based the book on his own life.
12. to station or place at a base:
    [~ + object + at/on + object] an air squadron based on Guam.

Idioms

13. Idioms, Sport off base:
    • Informal. seriously wrong:
      The president's advisers were off base when they predicted an easy victory.
14. Idioms touch base, [no object] to get into contact;
    communicate:
    Touch base with me before you leave.

Synonyms

base, basis, and foundation all refer to anything upon which a structure is built and upon which it rests. base usually refers to a physical structure that supports something: the base of a statue. basis more often refers to a mental or figurative support: the basis of a report. foundation implies a strong, solid, secure structure underneath: the foundation of a skyscraper; the foundation of a theory.

base² /beɪs/   adj., bas•er, bas•est. 

1. not honorable;
   morally low:
   base motives of greed.
2. of little value;
   worthless:
   base materials.

base•ly, adv. 
base•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

touch /tʌtʃ/   v. 

1. Physiology to put the hand, finger, etc., on or into contact with (something) so as to feel it: [~ + object]
   He touched the stove cautiously.
   [no object]
   You may look at it but don't touch.
2. to bring (the hand, etc., or something held) into contact with something:
   [~ + object] touched a match to the papers.
3. to pat or tap as with the hand or an instrument:
   [~ + object] She touched me gently on the shoulder.
4. Geography to come into contact with;
   be next to: [~ + object]
   My shoulder was touching hers.
   [no object]
   Our shoulders were touching on the crowded elevator.
5. to be as good as (something else);
   compare with (something):
   [~ + object* usually with a negative word or phrase] He wrote with a style that couldn't touch mine.
6. to treat or affect in some way by contact:
   [~ + object] All you have to do is touch that computer and everything goes haywire with it.
7. [~ + object] to move (someone) to feel sympathy:
   Your kindness touched me deeply.
   See touching, touched below.
8. to have to do with in any way:
   [~ + object* usually with a negative word or phrase] She can't touch her trust money until she's 21.
9. to eat or drink;
   consume;
   taste:
   [~ + object* usually with a negative word or phrase] He won't touch another drink.
10. to put one's hands on (a person), as to do something violent or sexual:
    [~ + object] Don't touch that kid again!
11. to be a matter of importance to;
    affect:
    [~ + object] Such poverty never touches her life.
12. Slang Terms to ask (someone) for money, or succeed in getting money from:
    [~ + object] He touched me for a loan.
13. touch down, [no object] (of an aircraft or spacecraft) to land.
14. touch off:
    • to cause to ignite or explode: [~ + off + object]
      The flame touched off the explosion.
      [~ + object + off]
      What touched it off?
    • to start, esp. suddenly: [~ + off + object]
      The incident touched off a firestorm of debate.
      [~ + object + off]
      That's what touched the debate off.
15. touch on or upon, [~ + on + object] to mention (a subject) casually:
    Her speech touched on the issue of employee benefits.
16. touch up, to make minor changes in the appearance of: [~ + up + object]
    The artist touched up the painting.
    [~ + object + up]
    She touched it up.

n. 

17. the act of touching;
    state or fact of being touched:
    [countable] a light touch on his shoulder.
18. Physiology that sense by which anything material is felt by physical contact:
    [uncountable] a well-developed sense of touch.
19. the quality of something touched that imparts a sensation;
    feel:
    [uncountable] The touch of her hand was enough to thrill him.
20. a coming into or being in contact or good relations with another:
    [uncountable] Over the years we lost touch. Let's keep in touch.
21. ability or skill;
    a knack for doing something:
    [uncountable] He seems to have lost his touch in dealing with people.
22. a slight attack, as of illness:
    [countable] He's had a touch of the flu.
23. a slight added effort in completing any piece of work:
    [countable] put some finishing touches on the painting.
24. [countable] skill or manner of execution in artistic work, in playing a musical instrument, etc.
25. [countable] the manner or speed of action of the keys of an instrument, as of a piano.
26. a slight amount of some quality, emotion, etc.:
    [countable] There was a touch of sadness in her voice.
27. Slang Terms [countable]
    • the act of approaching someone for money (as a gift ):
      to put the touch on her for fifty bucks.
    • a person thought of in terms of getting money from:
      He's an easy touch.

touch•a•ble, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

base¹  (bās), n., adj., v., based, bas•ing. 
n. 

1. the bottom support of anything;
   that on which a thing stands or rests:
   a metal base for the table.
2. a fundamental principle or groundwork;
   foundation;
   basis:
   the base of needed reforms.
3. the bottom layer or coating, as of makeup or paint.
4. Architecture
   • the distinctively treated portion of a column or pier below the shaft or shafts. See diag. under column. 
   • the distinctively treated lowermost portion of any construction, as a monument, exterior wall, etc.
5. Zoology [Bot., Zool.]
   • Botany the part of an organ nearest its point of attachment.
   • Botany the point of attachment.
6. the principal element or ingredient of anything, considered as its fundamental part:
   face cream with a lanolin base; paint with a lead base.
7. that from which a commencement, as of action or reckoning, is made;
   a starting point or point of departure.
8. Sport [Baseball.]
   • any of the four corners of the diamond, esp. first, second, or third base. Cf. home plate.
   • a square canvas sack containing sawdust or some other light material, for marking first, second, or third base.
9. Sport a starting line or point for runners, racing cars, etc.
10. Sport (in hockey and other games) the goal.
11. Military
    • Military a fortified or more or less protected area or place from which the operations of an army or an air force proceed.
    • a supply installation for a large military force.
12. Mathematics [Geom.] the line or surface forming the part of a figure that is most nearly horizontal or on which it is supposed to stand.
13. Mathematics
    • the number that serves as a starting point for a logarithmic or other numerical system.
    • a collection of subsets of a topological space having the property that every open set in the given topology can be written as the union of sets of the collection.
    • a collection of neighborhoods of a point such that every neighborhood of the point contains one from the collection.
    • a collection of sets of a given filter such that every set in the filter is contained in some set in the collection.
14. Surveying Also called base line. See under triangulation (def. 1).
15. Fine Art [Painting.]
    • vehicle (def. 10).
    • Also called carrier. inert matter, used in the preparation of lakes, onto which a coloring compound is precipitated.
16. Cinema, Photography [Photog.] a thin, flexible layer of cellulose triacetate or similar material that holds the light-sensitive film emulsion and other coatings, esp. on motion-picture film.
17. Chemistry
    • a compound that reacts with an acid to form a salt, as ammonia, calcium hydroxide, or certain nitrogen-containing organic compounds.
    • the hydroxide of a metal or of an electropositive element or group.
    • a group or molecule that takes up or accepts protons.
    • a molecule or ion containing an atom with a free pair of electrons that can be donated to an acid;
      an electron-pair donor.
    • any of the purine and pyrimidine compounds found in nucleic acids: the purines adenine and guanine and the pyrimidines cytosine, thymine, and uracil.
18. Grammar the part of a complex word, consisting of one or more morphemes, to which derivational or inflectional affixes may be added, as want in unwanted or biolog- in biological. Cf. root¹ (def. 11), stem ¹ (def. 16).
19. Linguistics the component of a generative grammar containing the lexicon and phrase-structure rules that generate the deep structure of sentences.
20. Electronics
    • an electrode or terminal on a transistor other than the emitter or collector electrodes or terminals.
    • the part of an incandescent lamp or electron tube that includes the terminals for making electrical connection to a circuit or power supply.
21. Stock Exchange the level at which a security ceases a decline in price.
22. Heraldry the lower part of an escutcheon.
23. Heraldry bases, [Armor.] a tonlet formed of two shaped steel plates assembled side by side.
24. Jewelry pavilion (def. 6).
25. Idioms get to first base. See first base (def. 2).
26. Heraldry in base, in the lower part of an escutcheon.
27. off base:
    • [Baseball.] not touching a base:
      The pitcher caught him off base and, after a quick throw, he was put out by the second baseman.
    • [Informal.] badly mistaken:
      The police were way off base when they tried to accuse her of the theft.
28. Sport on base, [Baseball.] having reached a base or bases:
    Two men are on base.
29. Idioms touch base with, to make contact with:
    They've touched base with every political group on campus.

adj. 

30. serving as or forming a base:
    The walls will need a base coat and two finishing coats.

v.t. 

31. to make or form a base or foundation for.
32. to establish, as a fact or conclusion (usually fol. by on or upon):
    He based his assumption of her guilt on the fact that she had no alibi.
33. to place or establish on a base or basis;
    ground;
    found (usually fol. by on or upon):
    Our plan is based on a rising economy.
34. to station, place, or situate (usually fol. by at or on):
    He is based at Fort Benning. The squadron is based on a carrier.

v.i. 

35. to have a basis;
    be based (usually fol. by on or upon):
    Fluctuating prices usually base on a fickle public's demand.
36. to have or maintain a base:
    I believe they had based on Greenland at one time.

• Latin basis basis; compare prisoner's base
• Middle French
• Middle English (noun, nominal) 1275–1325

Synonyms

• 1. Base, basis, foundation refer to anything upon which a structure is built and upon which it rests.
  Base usually refers to a literal supporting structure:
  the base of a statue.
  Basis more often refers to a figurative support:
  the basis of a report.
  Foundation implies a solid, secure understructure:
  the foundation of a skyscraper or a rumor.

base²  (bās), adj., bas•er, bas•est, n. 
adj. 

1. morally low;
   without estimable personal qualities;
   dishonorable;
   meanspirited;
   selfish;
   cowardly.
2. of little or no value;
   worthless:
   hastily composed of base materials.
3. debased or counterfeit:
   an attempt to eliminate the base coinage.
4. characteristic of or befitting an inferior person or thing.
5. of illegitimate birth.
6. not classical or refined:
   base language.
7. Law [Old Eng. Law.] held by tenure less than freehold in return for a service viewed as somewhat demeaning to the tenant.
8. [Archaic.]
   • of humble origin or station.
   • of small height.
   • low in place, position, or degree:
     base servitude.
9. [Obs.] deep or grave in sound;
   bass:
   the base tones of a piano.

n. 

10. [Music. Obs.] bass¹ (defs. 3, 4).

• Late Latin bassus low, short, perh. of Oscan origin, originally
• Old French
• Middle English bas 1350–1400

base′ly, adv. 
base′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. despicable, contemptible. See mean ².
• 2. poor, inferior, cheap, tawdry.
• 3. fake, spurious.
• 4. servile, ignoble, abject, slavish, menial.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

touch (tuch),  v.t. 

1. to put the hand, finger, etc., on or into contact with (something) to feel it:
   He touched the iron cautiously.
2. to come into contact with and perceive (something), as the hand or the like does.
3. to bring (the hand, finger, etc., or something held) into contact with something:
   She touched a match to the papers.
4. to give a slight tap or pat to with the hand, finger, etc.;
   strike or hit gently or lightly.
5. to come into or be in contact with.
6. [Geom.] (of a line or surface) to be tangent to.
7. to be adjacent to or border on.
8. to come up to;
   reach;
   attain.
9. to attain equality with;
   compare with (usually used with a negative):
   a style that cannot touch that of Shakespeare.
10. to mark by strokes of the brush, pencil, or the like.
11. to mark or relieve slightly, as with color:
    a gray dress touched with blue.
12. to stop at (a place), as a ship:
    The ship touched shore several times during the cruise.
13. to treat or affect in some way by contact.
14. to affect as if by contact;
    tinge;
    imbue.
15. to affect with some feeling or emotion, esp. tenderness, pity, gratitude, etc.:
    Their sufferings touched his heart.
16. to handle, use, or have to do with in any way (usually used with a negative):
    She can't touch the money until she's 21.
17. to eat or drink;
    consume;
    taste (usually used with a negative):
    He won't touch another drink.
18. to lay hands on, often in a violent manner:
    Don't you touch this child!
19. to deal with or treat in speech or writing.
20. to refer or allude to.
21. to pertain or relate to:
    a critic in all matters touching the kitchen.
22. to be a matter of importance to;
    make a difference to;
    affect:
    This grave decision touches all of us.
23. [Metall.] to stamp (metal) as being of standard purity.
24. [Slang.] to apply to for money, or succeed in getting money from:
    He touched me for five dollars.
25. [Slang.] to steal from.
26. [Archaic.]
    • to strike the strings, keys, etc., of (a musical instrument) so as to cause it to sound.
    • to play or perform (an air, notes, etc.) on a musical instrument.

v.i. 

27. to place the hand, finger, etc., on or in contact with something.
28. to come into or be in contact.
29. to make a stop or a short call at a place, as a ship or those on board (usually fol. by at).
30. touch base with. See base¹ (def. 29).
31. touch down, (of an airplane) to come into contact with the ground;
    land.
32. touch off:
    • to represent or characterize precisely.
    • to cause to ignite or explode.
    • to give rise to;
      initiate:
      This incident will touch off another crisis.
33. touch on or upon:
    • to mention a subject briefly or casually;
      treat of in passing:
      In his lecture he touched on the major aspects of the controversy.
    • to come close to;
      approach.
    • to relate or pertain to.
34. touch up:
    • to make minor changes or improvements in the appearance of.
    • to modify or improve (a painting, photograph, etc.) by adding small strokes or making slight changes.
    • to rouse by or as if by striking:
      This should touch up your memory.

n. 

35. the act or state of touching;
    state or fact of being touched.
36. that sense by which anything material is perceived by means of physical contact.
37. the quality of something touched that imparts a sensation:
    an object with a slimy touch.
38. a coming into or being in contact.
39. mental or moral perception, sensitivity, or understanding:
    He has a marvelous touch in dealing with people.
40. ability, skill, or dexterity;
    knack:
    to lose one's touch.
41. [Fencing.] the contact of the point of a foil or épée or the point or edge of the blade of a saber with a specified portion of the opponent's body, counting one point for the scorer.
42. close communication, agreement, sympathy, or the like:
    to be out of touch with reality; Let's keep in touch.
43. a slight stroke or blow.
44. a slight attack, as of illness or disease:
    a touch of rheumatism.
45. a slight added action or effort in doing or completing any piece of work:
    to provide the finishing touches.
46. manner of execution in artistic work.
47. the act or manner of touching or fingering a keyboard instrument.
48. the mode of action of the keys of an instrument, as of a piano or typewriter.
49. [Change Ringing.] a partial series of changes on a peal of bells.
50. a stroke or dash, as with a brush, pencil, or pen.
51. a detail in any artistic work.
52. a slight amount of some quality, attribute, etc.:
    a touch of sarcasm in his voice.
53. a slight quantity or degree:
    a touch of salt.
54. a distinguishing characteristic or trait:
    the touch of the master.
55. quality or kind in general.
56. an act of testing something.
57. something that serves as a test;
    touchstone.
58. [Slang.]
    • the act of approaching someone for money as a gift or a loan.
    • the obtaining of money in this manner.
    • the money obtained.
    • a person considered from the standpoint of the relative ease with which he or she will lend money:
      I can always hit him for ten—he's an easy touch.
59. [Slang.] theft.
60. [Metall.]
    • an official mark put upon precious metal after testing to indicate its purity.
    • a die, stamp, or the like for impressing such a mark.
    • an identifying mark impressed on pewter by its maker.
61. [Soccer.] the area outside the touchlines.
62. [Rugby.] either of the touchlines or the area outside of the touchlines.
63. put the touch on, [Informal.] to try to borrow money from:
    Willie put the touch on me for another ten last night.

• Old French, derivative of tochier, partly derivative of the verb, verbal
• Vulgar Latin *toccāre to knock, strike, touch, of expressive origin, originally; (noun, nominal) partly continuing Middle English touche state or act of touching
• Old French tochier
• (verb, verbal) Middle English to(u)chen 1250–1300

touch ′a•ble, adj. 
touch ′a•ble•ness, touch′a•bil′i•ty, n. 
touch ′er, n. 
touch ′less, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. handle, feel.
• 13. impress.
• 15. move, strike, stir, melt, soften.
• 21. concern, regard, affect.
• 43. pat, tap.
• 53. hint, trace, suggestion.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

touch / tʌtʃ/ noun

1. the sense by which the texture and other qualities of objects can be experienced when they come in contact with a part of the body surface, esp the tips of the fingers
   Related adjective(s): haptic, tactile, tactual
2. the quality of an object as perceived by this sense; feel; feeling
3. the act or an instance of something coming into contact with the body
4. a gentle push, tap, or caress
5. a small amount; hint: a touch of sarcasm
6. a noticeable effect; influence: the house needed a designer's touch
7. any slight stroke or mark: with a touch of his brush he captured the scene
8. characteristic manner or style: the artist had a distinctive touch
9. a detail of some work, esp a literary or artistic work: she added a few finishing touches to the book
10. a slight attack, as of a disease: a touch of bronchitis
11. a specific ability or facility: the champion appeared to have lost his touch
12. the state of being aware of a situation or in contact with someone: to get in touch with someone
13. the state of being in physical contact
14. a trial or test (esp in the phrase put to the touch)
15. the area outside the touchlines, beyond which the ball is out of play (esp in the phrase in touch)
16. an official stamp on metal indicating standard purity
17. the die stamp used to apply this mark
    Now usually called: hallmark
18. a scoring hit in competitive fencing
19. an estimate of the amount of gold in an alloy as obtained by use of a touchstone
20. the technique of fingering a keyboard instrument
21. the quality of the action of a keyboard instrument with regard to the relative ease with which the keys may be depressed
22. the act of asking for money as a loan or gift, often by devious means
23. the money received in this way
24. a person asked for money in this way: he was an easy touch

verb

1. (transitive) to cause or permit a part of the body to come into contact with
2. (transitive) to tap, feel, or strike, esp with the hand
3. to come or cause (something) to come into contact with (something else): their hands touched briefly, I touched the match to the fuse
4. (intransitive) to be in contact
5. (tr; usually used with a negative) to take hold of (a person or thing), esp in violence: don't touch the baby!
6. to be adjacent to (each other): the two properties touch
7. (transitive) to move or disturb by handling: someone's touched my desk
8. (transitive) to have an effect on: the war scarcely touched our town
9. (transitive) to produce an emotional response in: his sad story touched her
10. (transitive) to affect; concern
11. (tr; usually used with a negative) to partake of, eat, or drink
12. (tr; usually used with a negative) to handle or deal with: I wouldn't touch that business
13. when intr, often followed by on: to allude (to) briefly or in passing: the speech touched on several subjects
14. (transitive) to tinge or tint slightly: brown hair touched with gold
15. (transitive) to spoil or injure slightly: blackfly touched the flowers
16. (transitive) to mark, as with a brush or pen
17. (transitive) to compare to in quality or attainment; equal or match: there's no-one to touch him
18. (transitive) to reach or attain: she touched the high point in his career
19. (intransitive) to dock or stop briefly: the ship touches at Tenerife
20. (transitive) to ask for a loan or gift of money from
21. to finger (the keys or strings of an instrument)
22. to play (a tune, piece of music, etc) in this way
23. touch base ⇒ to make contact

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French tochier, from Vulgar Latin toccāre (unattested) to strike, ring (a bell), probably imitative of a tapping sound

ˈtouchable adjective

ˈtouchableness noun

ˈtoucher noun

ˈtouchless adjective