kiss
Kiss (verb) means to touch someone with your lips as a sign of love, affection, or greeting. Example: “She kissed her son goodnight before turning off the light.”
How to Use Kiss
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo touch with the lips affectionately, or the act/noun of doing so.
Word Forms
kissed past tense, kist past tense, kisses plural, kisses singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ her son goodnight before turning off the light.
Etymology
From Old English "cyssan," a very old Germanic verb for kissing, related to similar words in Dutch, German, and Scandinavian languages.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for kiss
See all rhymes for kiss →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “kiss” mean?
The word “kiss” means to touch someone with your lips as a sign of love, affection, or greeting. In plain terms, to touch with the lips affectionately, or the act/noun of doing so.
How do you pronounce “kiss”?
“Kiss” is pronounced kihs (/kɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “kiss” in a sentence?
Here is “kiss” used in a sentence: “She kissed her son goodnight before turning off the light.”
What is another word for “kiss”?
Words with a similar meaning to “kiss” include buss, goozer, lallygag, lips, lock lips and osculate.
What part of speech is “kiss”?
Depending on how it is used, “kiss” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “kiss” come from?
The word “kiss” comes from Old English. From Old English "cyssan," a very old Germanic verb for kissing, related to similar words in Dutch, German, and Scandinavian languages.
Is “kiss” a common word?
“Kiss” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “kiss” have?
“Kiss” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to touch someone with your lips as a sign of love, affection, or greeting.
What is the difference between a kiss and a peck?
A peck is a specific, small kind of kiss: quick, light, and usually on the cheek or lips without lingering. A kiss is the broader act of touching someone with the lips, which can be brief or long, tender or warm. Every peck is a kiss, but not every kiss is a peck.
What are the different types of kisses?
Kisses vary by intent and custom. A peck is a quick, affectionate touch, and a cheek kiss is a common greeting in many cultures. An air kiss lands near the cheek without contact. Parents give goodnight kisses, couples share romantic kisses, and some traditions kiss the hand as a sign of respect.
What is an air kiss?
An air kiss is a greeting where two people bring their cheeks close and 'kiss' the air beside each other, often with a soft 'mwah' sound, without lips actually touching the skin. Common at social events and in many cultures, it conveys warmth or politeness while avoiding smudged makeup or real contact.
Is kissing the same in every culture?
No. Kissing carries different meanings around the world. In some cultures a cheek kiss is a routine hello, with one, two, or three kisses depending on the region. Elsewhere public kissing is discouraged, and some societies favor other greetings entirely, such as bowing, nose-touching, or a handshake instead.
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