Caress

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kəˈrÉ›s/
• Rhymes: -É›s

Origin

From French caresse, from Italian carezza ("dear"), from Latin cārus ("dear"), from Proto-Indo-European *kāro- (English whore), akin to Sanskrit काम (kāma, "love").

Full definition of caress

Noun

1. An act of endearment; any act or expression of affection; an embracing, or touching, with tenderness.
• LongfellowWooed her with his soft caresses.
• MacaulayHe exerted himself to win by indulgence and caresses the hearts of all who were under his command.
2. A gentle stroking or rubbing.

Verb

1. (transitive) To touch or kiss lovingly; to fondle.She loves being caressed by her boyfriend.
2. (transitive) To affect as if with a caress.

Synonyms

• hold
• soothe
• stroke
• kiss

Antonyms

• poke
• stab
• strike
• hit

Anagrams

• crases
• sacres
• scares
• seracs