fondle

American  

[fon-dl] / ˈfɒn dl /

verb (used with object)

fondled, fondling

1. to handle or touch lovingly, affectionately, or tenderly; caress.

   to fondle a precious object.

   Synonyms:

   stroke, pat, pet, snuggle, cuddle

2. to molest sexually by touching or caressing.

3. Obsolete. to treat with fond indulgence.

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verb (used without object)

fondled, fondling

1. to show fondness, as by manner, words, or caresses.

fondle British  

/ ˈfɒndəl /

verb

1. (tr) to touch or stroke tenderly; caress

2. archaic (intr) to act in a loving manner

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Other Word Forms

• fondler noun
• fondlingly adverb
• overfondle verb
• unfondled adjective

Etymology

Origin of fondle

First recorded in 1685–95; from obsolete verb fond “to play the fool, dote” (derivative of adjective fond ) + -le frequentative verb suffix; fond ¹, -le

Example Sentences

Mr. Wainwright’s version does fondle the trademark pipe, which suggests the original Maigret as well as a painting by Magritte.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It must be stressful to be touched and fondled by a bunch of strangers,” said Sachiko Azuma, head of Tokyo-based PEACE, which stands for Put an End to Animal Cruelty and Exploitation.

From Seattle Times

Like for nervous people, “fidget toys” — sensory objects to fondle — help ground you, Darragh says, gripping a clementine.

From Los Angeles Times

On a sweltering summer weekday at Jaemor Farms, a large produce stand off a rural highway, shoppers fondled ripe peaches and sampled ice cream.

From New York Times

Deputy District Attorney Joshua Seiden told jurors during closing arguments that said O’Brien used his credentials as a professional massage therapist as a guise to fondle the alleged victims when he was giving them massages.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• caress
• grope