contact
contact
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "contact" is /ˈkɒntækt/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
ˈkɒn:
/k/: Voiceless velar stop
/ɒ/: Open back rounded vowel (as in "lot")
/n/: Alveolar nasal
tækt:
/t/: Voiceless alveolar stop
/æ/: Near-open front unrounded vowel (as in "cat")
/k/: Voiceless velar stop
/t/: Voiceless alveolar stop
Word Form Variations
Contact" functions as both a noun and a verb.
Noun Forms:
Singular: contact (e.g., "I made contact with him.")
Plural: contacts (e.g., "She has many business contacts.")
Verb Forms:
Base Form: contact (e.g., "Please contact us.")
Third-person singular present: contacts (e.g., "He contacts clients daily.")
Present participle: contacting (e.g., "They are contacting suppliers.")
Past tense: contacted (e.g., "She contacted them yesterday.")
Past participle: contacted (e.g., "The relevant parties have been contacted.")
Related Forms:
Adjective: contactable (e.g., "He is not easily contactable.")
Adjective: contactless (e.g., "Contactless payments.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun Definitions
The state or condition of touching or being in physical proximity.
Synonyms: Touch, connection, proximity, contiguity, adjacency
Antonyms: Separation, detachment, distance, isolation
Communication or interaction with someone.
Synonyms: Communication, connection, correspondence, interaction, liaison, touch
Antonyms: Disconnection, isolation, estrangement, avoidance
A person known to one, especially someone who may be useful in one's work or business.
Synonyms: Connection, acquaintance, associate, link, network
Antonyms: Stranger, unknown
Verb Definitions
To communicate with (someone), typically to give or receive information.
Synonyms: Get in touch with, reach out to, communicate with, call, email, speak to
Antonyms: Avoid, ignore, shun, disconnect from
To touch or be in physical proximity with something.
Synonyms: Touch, meet, abut, join, connect
Antonyms: Separate from, detach, avoid touching
Examples of Use
Books
"We made visual contact with the unknown object at 0400 hours." (Common in science fiction or military thrillers)
"He found great solace in the simple physical contact of holding his child's hand." (From a novel exploring human connection)
Newspapers and Online Publications
"Health authorities urged the public to limit close contact to curb the spread of the virus." (The Standard)
"The company is expanding its network of business contacts in East Africa." (Business Daily Africa)
"Click here to contact our customer support team for assistance." (Common call-to-action on websites)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Film: In E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), the plot centers on a boy's attempts to make contact with an alien.
Television: "Do not break radio contact with base under any circumstances." (Heard in action, military, or sci-fi shows)
Music: Many songs feature lyrics about trying to make contact with a lost love or maintaining contact over distance.
Video Games: Players often need to establish contact with NPCs (non-player characters) to receive quests or progress in the story.
General Public Discourse
"I'll be in contact with you regarding the meeting details." (Common closing in professional communication)
"Please avoid direct contact with the chemicals." (Safety instruction)
"Do you have his contact information?" (Asking for a phone number or email)
"It's important for children to have daily eye contact with their parents." (Discussing parenting or child development)
10 Quotes Using Contact
"There is nothing more important in our lives than our human contact." (Barbra Streisand)
"The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency." (Bill Gates) - This speaks to how technology mediates contact and processes.
"I touch the future. I teach." (Christa McAuliffe) - This highlights the profound human contact involved in teaching.
"War is delightful to those who have had no experience of it." (Erasmus) - This implies that direct contact with war changes perception.
"A man is known by the company he keeps." (Proverb, in existence since the 14th century) - This emphasizes the nature of social contact.
"The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said." (Peter Drucker) - This relates to subtle forms of contact and understanding.
"My theory on life is that if we're going to do something, we might as well do it big." (Jack Kerouac) - This speaks to making significant contact with life's experiences.
"Through others, we become ourselves." (Lev Vygotsky) - This emphasizes the role of social contact in identity formation.
"The eyes are the window to the soul." (Proverb, dating back to ancient times) - This points to eye contact as a form of deeper connection.
"Always maintain eye contact when speaking to someone important." (Original)
Etymology
The word "contact" comes from the Latin verb "contingere," which meant "to touch" or "to be contiguous." This Latin word is formed from "con-" (meaning "together" or "with") and "tangere" (meaning "to touch").
So, at its root, "contact" is about things physically touching or being close enough to touch.
The first known use of "contact" in English, appearing around the early 17th century, referred to a physical touching or meeting. This original meaning is still very much in use today. Later, the meaning expanded to include communication or interaction between people, drawing on the idea of people "touching base" with each other.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Contact
Make contact: To establish communication or physical connection.
Example: "The two ships tried to make contact despite the storm."
Lose contact: To cease communication or physical connection.
Example: "After they moved, we unfortunately lost contact."
Direct contact: Immediate, unmediated communication or physical touch.
Example: "Avoid direct contact with the chemical solution."
Eye contact: The act of looking directly into another person's eyes.
Example: "Maintaining good eye contact is important in an interview."
Point of contact: A person or department through whom communication can be established.
Example: "Our sales manager is your primary point of contact for any queries."
Get in touch: (Using a synonym, meaning to communicate with someone).
Example: "I'll get in touch with you next week about the details."
Touch base: (An idiom meaning to briefly communicate or reconnect with someone).
Example: "Let's touch base after the meeting to finalize the plan."
Reach out: (Meaning to try to communicate with someone, especially for help or connection).
Example: "Don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance."
Keep abreast of: (Meaning to stay informed about something, which often requires contact or communication).
Example: "It's important to keep abreast of current events."
On speaking terms: (An idiom implying that two people are communicating with each other, often after a disagreement).
Example: "After their argument, they're finally on speaking terms again."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of contact from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
