caress

[kuh-res]

noun

1. an act or gesture expressing affection, as an embrace or kiss, especially a light stroking or touching.

   Synonyms: hug, pat

2. a light and gentle touch or stroke, or something that passes lightly over a person or thing.

   Let the gentle caresses of the music carry your worries away.

verb (used with object)

1. to touch, pat, or stroke gently to show affection.

2. to touch or seem to touch lightly.

   The breeze caressed the trees.

3. to treat with favor, kindness, etc.

caress

/ kəˈrɛs /

noun

1. a gentle touch or embrace, esp one given to show affection

verb

1. (tr) to touch or stroke gently with affection or as with affection

   the wind caressed her face

Other Word Forms

• caressingly adverb
• caresser noun
• caressable adjective
• uncaressed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of caress¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from French caresse, from Italian carezza, from unattested Vulgar Latin caritia, equivalent to Latin cār(us) “dear” + -itia suffix of abstract nouns; charity

Word History and Origins

Origin of caress¹

C17: from French caresse, from Italian carezza, from Latin cārus dear

Example Sentences

One woman paused before the display and raised her hand to caress an image.

Read more on BBC

D’Angelo asks that question — worries it, caresses it, plumbs its unseen depths — no fewer than two dozen times in what might have been his signature hit.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Aubrey Plaza appears as a new wife from California and soon she’s being caressed by all the other women in the cast as they make mimosas.

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She softly squeezed his hip muscles, then caressed his midsection, shoulders and neck.

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Banducci encouraged us to caress our bodies, perhaps our neck or hip, shedding as much clothing as we were comfortable with.

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Related Words

• clutch 
• cuddle 
• fondle 
• graze 
• kiss 
• massage 
• nuzzle 
• pat 
• rub