kissing

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The act of touching someone with the lips to show love, affection, or as a greeting.

   Grammar: Uncountable; used mainly in general statements. For a single instance, use 'a kiss'.

   Patterns

   • kissing someone
   • the kissing of something

   The movie showed a long scene of kissing.

   Kissing is a common way to greet friends in some cultures.

   They were caught kissing in the park.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Relating to or used for kissing.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: 'a kissing scene', 'kissing sounds'.

   Patterns

   • kissing scene
   • kissing sound
   • kissing booth

   The play had a romantic kissing scene.

   She made kissing noises to call the cat.

   The carnival had a kissing booth.

Common combinations

kissing scene

The director cut the kissing scene from the film.

kissing sound

He made a kissing sound to get the baby's attention.

kissing booth

They raised money at the fair with a kissing booth.

French kissing

French kissing involves tongue contact.

kissing cousin

A kissing cousin is a distant relative you know well enough to greet with a kiss.

Synonyms and how they differ

smooching

Informal; suggests longer, more passionate kissing, often in a romantic context.

pecking

Refers to quick, light kisses, often on the cheek.

bussing

Old-fashioned; means kissing, especially in a greeting or farewell.

Word family

kiss verb

To touch someone with the lips.

kiss noun

A single act of kissing.

kisser noun

Informal; a person who kisses, or the mouth.

Commonly confused: kissing or kissing?

Practice

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