a kiss

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   The act of touching someone with your lips, usually to show love or affection.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a kiss', 'two kisses', 'give someone a kiss'.

   Patterns

   • give someone a kiss
   • a kiss on the cheek
   • a kiss on the lips

   She gave her son a kiss on the forehead before bed.

   He blew her a kiss from across the room.

   They shared a quick kiss at the airport.

2. 2nouncountable

   A light touch of the lips to something as a sign of respect or greeting.

   Grammar: Countable; often used with 'on' to show where the lips touch.

   Patterns

   • a kiss on the hand
   • a kiss on the ring

   In some cultures, a kiss on the hand is a polite greeting.

   The visitor gave a kiss on the ring as a sign of respect.

Word forms

Common combinations

give someone a kiss

She gave her daughter a kiss goodnight.

blow a kiss

He blew a kiss to the crowd as he left the stage.

a kiss on the cheek

He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.

steal a kiss

They stole a kiss behind the school building.

Synonyms and how they differ

peck

A peck is a quick, light kiss, often on the cheek; 'kiss' is more general and can be longer or more romantic.

smooch

Smooch is informal and suggests a longer, more romantic kiss; 'kiss' is neutral and can be any kind.

Word family

kiss verb

To touch someone with your lips to show love or affection.

kisser noun

A person who kisses; also informal for 'mouth'.

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “a kiss”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words