WordVale

touch on

to mention briefly

In Phrasal Verbs

In more detail

1. (verb) to mention a subject briefly or in passing, without discussing it in detail

2. (verb) to deal with or address a topic lightly or superficially

Examples

• 1. In her speech, she touched on several important issues but didn't go deeply into any of them.
• 2. The article touches on climate change without providing much scientific evidence.

How to use touch on

Touch on is used when a speaker or writer brings up a subject in a limited or cursory way, often as part of a broader discussion. It suggests intentional but superficial treatment, making it more deliberate than a mere incidental mention but less thorough than genuine exploration of the subject.

Common phrases

• touch on a subject
• touch on the topic
• touch on an issue
• lightly touch on
• briefly touch on

Synonyms

mention · allude to · refer to · broach · hint at

Opposites

elaborate on · dwell on · explore

Word family

touch · touching

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse 'touch on' with 'touch upon' (a variant meaning the same thing) and incorrectly assume the phrasal verb requires a specific preposition; both are equally correct.

Nearby in Phrasal Verbs

take on, take over, take up, turn down, turn out, turn up

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained