French word

touche

Pronunciation

IPA/tuʃ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounkey

Example

Appuie sur la touche Entrée.

Press the Enter key.

Illustration for touche (key)

More examples

Appuie doucement sur la touche majuscule.

Press the Shift key gently.

Core concept

A lettered or symbol-marked key that responds to pressure by activating a command.

Common phrases

  • appuyer sur la touche

    press the key

  • la touche entrée

    the Enter key

  • la touche majuscule

    the Shift key

Similar words

bouton: A small pressable control used to operate machinery or equipment.
touche-poussoir: A pressable control that activates briefly and springs back when released.

Definition in French

Élément d'un clavier ou d'un appareil, portant un symbole ou une lettre, que l'on presse pour activer une fonction.

Word origin

The noun touche developed from the verb toucher through Old French forms such as tochier, ultimately linked to Italian toccare and Vulgar Latin *toccare.

Usage tips

  • French uses appuyer sur une touche for pressing a key, with sur rather than a direct object.

Other meanings

  • buttonnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word