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Showing results for "necking"
  • present participle of neck.
Synonyms

necking

American  
[nek-ing] / ˈnɛk ɪŋ /

noun

  1. Informal. kissing, caressing, and other sexual activity between partners that does not involve stimulation of the genitals or sexual intercourse.

  2. Architecture.

    1. a molding or group of moldings between the projecting part of a capital of a column and the shaft.

    2. gorgerin.


necking British  
/ ˈnɛkɪŋ /

noun

  1. informal the activity of kissing and embracing passionately

  2. Also called: gorgerinarchitect one or more mouldings at the top of a column between the shaft and the capital

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of necking

First recorded in 1795–1805; neck + -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

After widespread volcanic activity about 4 million years ago, the onset of necking caused the land in the rift to sink.

From Science Daily Apr. 25, 2026

"I can imagine the rubber necking that is going to happen."

From BBC Aug. 2, 2023

Instead of dancing and necking and maybe even performing for the hippies in Haight-Ashbury, Elvis Presley had spent an endless seven years in Southern California, forsaking his music career for one on the silver screen.

From Washington Post Aug. 15, 2018

Basically middle-aged music nerds in plastic glasses necking $8 beers, with a few kids to spike the energy and enthusiasm.

From Salon Apr. 6, 2017

Who wouldn’t be appalled to find her brother and his girlfriend necking in her brand-new house, in the prize bathroom of all places?

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

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