adjective
tactile
TAK-tul/ˈtæktl/
Relating to or experienced through touch.
She explores the tactile contrast between woven cloth and soft fleece.
Etymology
The pieces express “capable of being touched,” the meaning of Latin tactilis. English extended this from something perceptible by touch to anything relating to the sense of touch.
In context
it has this compelling tactile as well as visual appeal that invites you to touch it and hold it
More examples
- She enjoyed the tactile contrast between smooth stone and rough wood.
- The glove reduced tactile sensitivity.
- The fabric’s tactile qualities mattered as much as its color.
Forms
tactile
touch noun — the sense used to feel contact and texture
Similar words
- haptic
- Haptic especially concerns touch-based perception or interaction; tactile is the more general adjective for touch.
- tangible
- Tangible can be physically touched; tactile relates to the experience or sense of touching.