Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

touch off

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.87 in modern English

Syllables: touch off
IPA

19

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

1

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To start (something); to set off traps; especially used for unstable situations that may magnify if disturbed.

Transitive verb

verb

To cause a fire to start.

Transitive verb

verb

To establish a reference coordinate or datum, by moving the tool head to just touch the workpiece or machine bed.

Example Sentences

"Be cautious talking about religion or politics, lest you touch off an argument."
"A spark touched off the conflagration."
"A traditional method of touching off uses a piece of thin paper placed between the tool and workpiece."

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

touches off (present, singular) touching off (participle, present) touched off (participle, past) touched off (past)

Synonyms

trip actuate trigger activate set off spark off spark trigger off

Questions

What does touch off mean?: To start (something); to set off traps; especially used for unstable situations that may magnify if disturbed.

How to pronounce touch off

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “touch off”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “touch off”.
Repeat and practice — Say “touch off” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.