What does "contactless" mean?
A technology for paying for goods etc. while physically present at the point of interaction but without the need for physical contact.
Contactless
adj, noun
adj, noun ·3 syllables ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A technology for paying for goods etc. while physically present at the point of interaction but without the need for physical contact.
- Grammar: contactless is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: calibrated no-touch measurement, hands off, more noncontact, most no-touch sensing.
- Useful contrasts: contacting, hands on, touching.
- Usage evidence: Can I pay here with a contactless card?
How to use "contactless"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "contactless" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "contactless" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "contactless" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "contactless" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "contactless" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "calibrated no-touch measurement" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "contactless", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A technology for paying for goods etc. while physically present at the point of interaction but without the need for physical contact. uncountable
"The motivation for using contactless is clear: it is most popular for people in a rush (58 per cent), people with a queue behind them (30 per cent) and those in busy places with lots of people (26 per cent)."
Adjective
- 1 That does not use or require contact in order to happen or operate.; Conducted without human-to-human contact to improve ease of use or reduce the potential spread of a contagious disease; contact-free. not-comparable, usually
"Contactless commerce, of which Amazon Go is at the extreme end, was of course already by the autumn of 2019 a growing trend, what with increasing numbers of self-checkout counters and websites and apps that allowed us to have everything from groceries to pet supplies to prescription medication delivered right to our doorsteps."
- 2 That does not use or require contact in order to happen or operate.; Happening without physical contact at the point of sale. not-comparable
"TfL has been saying for a few years that Oyster will eventually be withdrawn, but not until contactless payments can offer railcard discounts."
- 3 That has no contact or contacts. not-comparable
Synonyms
All synonyms calibrated no-touch measurementhands offmore noncontactmost no-touch sensingmost noncontactmost noncontacting
Antonyms
Example
"Can I pay here with a contactless card?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "contactless"?
Common synonyms include: calibrated no-touch measurement, hands off, more noncontact, most no-touch sensing, most noncontact, most noncontacting.
How do you use "contactless" in a sentence?
Can I pay here with a contactless card?
Etymology
From contact + -less.