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fondle

[ fon-dl ]
/ ˈfɒn dl /
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See synonyms for: fondle / fondling on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), fon·dled, fon·dling.

to handle or touch lovingly, affectionately, or tenderly; caress: to fondle a precious object.
to molest sexually by touching or caressing.
Obsolete. to treat with fond indulgence.

verb (used without object), fon·dled, fon·dling.

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

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Origin of fondle

First recorded in 1685–95; from obsolete verbfond “to play the fool, dote” (derivative of adjective fond ) + -le frequentative verb suffix; see origin at fond1,-le

OTHER WORDS FROM fondle

fondler, nounfon·dling·ly, adverbo·ver·fon·dle, verb, o·ver·fon·dled, o·ver·fon·dling.un·fon·dled, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH fondle

fondling , foundling

Words nearby fondle

Fon, fond, fonda, fondant, Fond du Lac, fondle, fondly, fondness, fondu, fondue, fondue Bourguignonne
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to fondle

grope, caress, nuzzle, hug, pat, neck, paw, pet, clutch, cosset, dandle, feel, stroke, cuddle, embrace, love, grab, squeeze, snuggle, nestle

Example sentences from the Web for fondle

British Dictionary definitions for fondle

fondle
/ (ˈfɒndəl) /

verb

(tr) to touch or stroke tenderly; caress
(intr) archaic to act in a loving manner

Derived forms of fondle

fondler, nounfondlingly, adverb

Word Origin for fondle

C17: from (obsolete) vb fond to fondle; see fond 1
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
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