close interaction
"they kept in daily contact"
"they claimed that they had been in contact with extraterrestrial beings"
the act of touching physically
"her fingers came in contact with the light switch"
the state or condition of touching or of being in immediate proximity
"litmus paper turns red on contact with an acid"
a channel for communication between groups
"he provided a liaison with the guerrillas"
a thin curved glass or plastic lens designed to fit over the cornea in order to correct vision or to deliver medication
"After losing his contact, he rushed to the pharmacy hoping they still had his prescription."
The act of touching physically; being in close association.
"The surgeon gently made contact with the patient's shoulder to calm them before beginning the procedure."
In plain English: Contact is a person you are talking to or working with.
"She made contact with her friend before the meeting started."
Usage: Use "contact" to refer to a physical touch or a person you know personally, rather than using it to describe a state of being connected like an internet signal. It functions as a noun for the actual moment of interaction or the individual itself.
be in or establish communication with
"Our advertisements reach millions"
"He never contacted his children after he emigrated to Australia"
To touch; to come into physical contact with.
"Please be careful not to let your fingers make direct contact with the hot stove element."
In plain English: To contact someone means to reach out to them so they know you are there and want to talk.
"Please contact me by email if you have any questions about the project."
Usage: Use contact as a verb when describing two objects physically touching each other, such as your hand making contact with the wall. Avoid using it for digital communication or reaching out to people, which requires different verbs like call or message.
The word comes from the Latin contingere, meaning "to touch," and entered English during the 17th century to describe physical or abstract touching. Its original sense of making contact remains its primary definition today.