air kiss

noun

1. a pursing of the lips in a pretended kiss, as when parting on the telephone or touching cheeks in greeting.

air kiss

noun

1. a kissing gesture, esp one directed towards a person's cheeck, made without making physical contact

verb

1. to make such a gesture towards a person

Word History and Origins

Origin of air kiss¹

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

The couple settled on an air kiss instead.

From BBC

He signs off with an air kiss.

From New York Times

Some colleagues patted Cawthorn’s back and shook his hand before quickly stepping past him in that distinctly Washington version of the air kiss.

From Washington Post

After years of getting dragged through the tabloids and trotted out on reality shows like one of her beloved show ponies, she is both restored to dignity by Thompson’s concerned embrace and pushed away with an air kiss.

From New York Times

"I am honored and so thrilled actually, and tickled to be here tonight to roast my husband, Nick Jonas, and his brothers, whose names I can never remember," Chopra said front and center, eliciting applause from the audience and an air kiss from the singer.

From Fox News