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caress

ca·ress [ kə-ˈres]

caress

noun

Definition of caress (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an act or expression of kindness or affection : endearment when the gifts and caresses of mankind shall recompense the toils of study— Samuel Johnson

2a : a light stroking, rubbing, or patting
//a gentle caress of her shoulder

b : kiss
//She gave him a parting caress.

caress

verb

[kə-ˈres]

caressed; caressing; caresses

Definition of caress

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to treat with tokens of fondness, affection, or kindness : cherish the regiment was fed and caressed at station after station— Stephen Crane

2a : to touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner
//She caressed the baby's cheek.

b : to touch or affect as if with a caress
//echoes that caress the ear

Other Words from caress

Verb

caresser noun

caressingly \ kə-ˈre-siŋ-lē \ adverb

Noun

caressive \ kə-ˈre-siv \ adjective

caressively adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for dainty

Synonyms: Verb

Recent Examples on the Web

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
//There was Cara Delevingne, caressing a line of women in lime-green lingerie.
— Raisa Bruner, Time, "Rihanna Keeps Reinventing the Lingerie Fashion Show with Savage X Fenty," 11 Sep. 2019
//Ahhhh, the feel of the beach breezes caressing our weary toes!
— Ellen Warren, chicagotribune.com, "Sandal season: Scratchy thong solution and the truth about summer stockings," 6 June 2019
//Painted ladies and swallowtail butterflies flitted about in the late afternoon sunshine, and a gentle, caressing breeze carried the blended fragrances of pine, cedar, sage and fresh oxygen.
— San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Sit-and-see adventure at Santa Rosa Mountains," 7 Sep. 2019
//As our host Bevy Smith caressed the crowd with her playful humor and Jidenna himself performed hits from his latest album, the guests relished in the unprecedented celebration of Black creatives.
— Nandi Howard, Essence, "Standout Fashion Moments From The ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion Awards Red Carpet," 5 Sep. 2019
//Sporting glitter eye shadow, this Emcee salaciously caresses the harp.
— Celia Wren, Washington Post, "In this Kit Kat Klub, there’s a little less sleaze but just enough sizzle," 4 Sep. 2019
//The women inside its walls are like ornaments of the Emperor’s absolute power, to be caressed or cast out at his whim, but they are also defended by women, an elite warrior guard bedecked in satin armor.
— Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, "Review: Swashbuckling world premiere ‘House of Joy’ hits and misses at Cal Shakes," 19 Aug. 2019
//The notes that come out of his career never assail your ears; the caress them.
— Chuck Yarborough, cleveland.com, "Santana and the Doobie Brothers bring a little rock ‘n’ roll history to Blossom Music Center," 8 Aug. 2019
//The differences suggest separate identities, but the two sparsely bearded men and the dark-haired women who accompany them, now walking in step, now caressing them, now moving apart, look uncannily alike.
— Karen Wilkin, WSJ, "‘Ragnar Kjartansson: Death Is Elsewhere’ Review: A Mesmeric Midsummer Night," 10 July 2019
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
//President Barack Obama’s conciliatory caresses, we were told, had only emboldened the Iranians.
— Steve Chapman, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Trump’s clueless Iran policy lurches the U.S. toward war," 19 June 2019
//The feeling brought on, not by tenderness, as from caress, but by the body having no choice but to accommodate pain by dulling it into an impossible, radiating pleasure.
— Viet Thanh Nguyen, Time, "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous," 6 June 2019
//As an earth sign, Taurus loves to indulge its five sense through luxurious fabrics, enchanting aromas, and gentle caresses.
— Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "What the Position of Venus in Your Birth Chart Means for You," 31 July 2018
//The range of expression in his keyboard touch encompassed caresses, rumbles and crashes.
— Ben Ratliff, New York Times, "Cecil Taylor, Pianist Who Defied Jazz Orthodoxy, Is Dead at 89," 6 Apr. 2018
//His two dancers, who hold hands and caress, perform opposite Ryan and a female pianist, whose romance is implied through the camera angles.
— Dan Allen /, NBC News, "Song, dance and LGBTQ visibility reign supreme at Eurovision Song Contest," 11 May 2018
//The choreographer bestowed a healing power to each simple human touch and caress, and dancers folded protectively into their partners.
— Laura Bleiberg, latimes.com, "Dance Theatre of Harlem comes full circle with stirring Broad Stage program," 22 Apr. 2018
//Any type of massage in this area is going to require a light caress as to not cause pain.
— Redbook, "33 Sexy Places to Touch Your Guy," 30 Oct. 2017
//The range of expression in his keyboard touch encompassed caresses, rumbles, and crashes.
— Ben Ratliff, BostonGlobe.com, "Cecil Taylor, 89, pianist who moved beyond jazz idiom," 7 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of caress

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for caress

Verb

French caresser, from Italian carezzare, from carezza — see caress entry 2

Noun

French caresse, from Italian carezza, from caro dear, from Latin carus — more at charity

Dictionary Entries near caress

More Synonyms and Antonyms ofcaress

Synonyms of caress

to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner

gently caressed her hair

Synonyms for caress

Words Related to caress

feel up,
paw

More Definitions forcaress

caress

verb

English Language Learners Definition of caress

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to touch (someone or something) in a gentle way

caress

noun

English Language Learners Definition of caress (Entry 2 of 2)

: a gentle or loving touch

caress

noun

ca·ress | \ kə-ˈres \

Kids Definition of caress

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a tender or loving touch or hug

caress

verb

caressed; caressing

Kids Definition of caress (Entry 2 of 2)

: to touch in a tender or loving way