a touch bigger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a touch bigger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is slightly larger than another object or size, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "I think this shirt would look better if it were a touch bigger."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

At first glance, it's very similar to the Xperia Z, though a touch bigger in every direction – which is worrying as the Z was quite big enough, thank you.

Independent

This is what Japan's Chubu Electric Power thinks it will take to stop a tsunami a touch bigger than the one that hit Fukushima, which is slightly farther from Tokyo to the north-east than Hamaoka is to the south-west.

The Economist

At 196.3in long and 79.3in wide, the CrossBlue almost perfectly overlays the top-selling Ford Explorer, making it a touch bigger than the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

For those who have already purchased a Kindle, these hidden features are an added bonus, but are unlikely to create new demand for the device, after all it still doesn't offer color and is a touch big to be mounted on a car dashboard for directions.

TechCrunch

The tailored suit just as I have foreseen, the pussy-cat bow, a long loop of pearls, and – a new touch – big goggle glasses.

The Guardian - Books

The only camera here with a touch screen: big, bright, three inches.

The New York Times - Tech

His gray suit was a touch too big, as if waiting for the boy to grow into it.

The New York Times

Mostly, The Pinkprint sounds like a breakup album dotted with a touch of big-up back-patting and sexual innuendo: palatable, sometimes forgettable but displaying a level of vulnerability we've not really seen from a Minaj album before.

The Guardian - Music

Cooking islands help (and can be made from old tables, dressers, chests or antique tool benches), but often kitchens are too small for a cooking island, yet a touch too big to function well.

Huffington Post

1. HD iPod Touches – A bigger iPod Touch could be in the cards, especially with the move towards HD content in iTunes.

TechCrunch

He could cajole them, too, with one serious look and a touch of his big hand on their arm; or win them over with a quickfire joke.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a touch bigger" when you want to express that something is only slightly larger than another item. It's best suited for informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a touch bigger" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise terms like "slightly larger" or "marginally bigger" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a touch bigger" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the degree to which something exceeds the size of something else. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's used to indicate a slight difference.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a touch bigger" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe a slight size difference, as validated by Ludwig AI. However, its use is best reserved for informal contexts. More formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "slightly larger". The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media sources. While correct, careful consideration should be given to context to ensure appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly larger

Replaces "a touch" with "slightly", emphasizing a small degree of increase in size.

A tad bigger

Uses "a tad" instead of "a touch", conveying a similar informal sense of slight increase.

A bit larger

Substitutes "a bit" for "a touch", providing a more common alternative to indicate a small difference.

Marginally bigger

Replaces "a touch" with "marginally", offering a more formal synonym for slightly.

Somewhat larger

Uses "somewhat" instead of "a touch", indicating a moderate increase in size.

A shade bigger

Offers a subtle alternative using "a shade" to suggest a minimal increase in size.

A hint bigger

Replaces "a touch" with "a hint", implying an even more subtle difference in size.

A hair bigger

Uses "a hair" as a colloquial substitute for "a touch", suggesting a very slight increase.

Slightly more expansive

Replaces both "a touch" and "bigger" with synonyms, resulting in a more descriptive alternative.

Perceptibly larger

Offers a more objective and measurable alternative, emphasizing that the size difference is noticeable.

FAQs

What does "a touch bigger" mean?

The phrase "a touch bigger" means slightly larger. It indicates a small difference in size, often used informally.

What can I say instead of "a touch bigger"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly larger", "a bit bigger", or "marginally bigger depending on the context".

Is "a touch bigger" formal or informal?

"A touch bigger" is generally considered informal. For more formal writing, consider using "slightly larger" or "somewhat larger".

How to use "a touch bigger" in a sentence?

You can use "a touch bigger" in a sentence like: "At first glance, it's very similar to the Xperia Z, though "a touch bigger" in every direction."