touchy

adjective, touch·i·er, touch·i·est.

1. apt to take offense on slight provocation; irritable: He is very touchy when he’s sick.
2. requiring caution, tactfulness, or expert handling; precarious; risky: a touchy subject; a touchy situation.
3. sensitive to touch.
4. easily ignited, as tinder.

adjective touchier or touchiest

1. easily upset or irritated; oversensitive
2. extremely risky
3. easily ignited

adj.

“too sensitive,” c.1600, perhaps an alteration of tetchy (q.v.) influenced by touch (v.). Related: Touchiness.