touché

Touché is a term with origins in fencing. In foil, épée, and sabre bouts, a hit that lands on a valid target area is acknowledged as a touch, and the referee or scoring system may vocally declare touché to indicate that a point has been scored. The expression is used in both formal competition and informal fencing contexts to recognize a successful attack or clever defence.

Etymology and form: touché comes from the French verb toucher, meaning “to touch.” In French, the masculine form is touché, and the feminine form is touchée; English usage often maintains the accent (touché) or, less commonly, uses the unaccented touche. The term entered English through historical fencing and French influence and has since acquired broader figurative meanings.

Beyond fencing, touché has entered everyday language as an acknowledgment of a clever or well-made counterargument or retort. Used politely and with good humor, it signals respect for the opponent’s skill in a debate or repartee, rather than criticism.

Usage notes: in modern practice, the primary sense remains tied to fencing and scoring, but the word is widely understood as a witty concession. Its tone is generally courteous and playfully competitive, reflecting the sport’s emphasis on skill and technique as well as fair play.