Phrase guide

touch wood

intj · verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

intj

Meaning 1

Hopefully; said while touching something wooden, to avert superstitious bad luck from what has just been said.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Australia, India, New-Zealand, South-Africa, UK, idiomatic

Examples

  • And the reds are going to avoid relegation this year, touch wood.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: knock on wood

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To make contact with wood to avert bad luck, in accordance with a folk practice.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Commonwealth, Ireland, UK

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: knock on wood

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From a folk practice of unclear origin.