noun
caress
kuh-REHS
Caress (noun) means a gentle, affectionate touch. Example: “He felt the caress of her hand on his cheek.”
noun
1
A gentle, affectionate touch.
"He felt the caress of her hand on his cheek."
"The breeze felt like a caress against her skin."
verb
1
To touch someone gently and affectionately.
"She caressed the baby's soft cheek."
"He gently caressed the cat's fur."
How to use caress
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA soft, loving touch, or the act of touching someone that way.
Common pairings
a gentle caress
caress her hair
caress someone's face
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Word forms
- Plural
- caresses
- Third person singular
- caresses
- Past tense
- caressed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He felt the _____ of her hand on his cheek.
Etymology
From French caresse, from Italian carezza ("endearment"), ultimately from Latin cārus ("dear, beloved").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “caress” mean?
The word “caress” means a gentle, affectionate touch. In plain terms, a soft, loving touch, or the act of touching someone that way.
How do you pronounce “caress”?
“Caress” is pronounced kuh-REHS (/kəˈɹɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “caress” in a sentence?
Here is “caress” used in a sentence: “He felt the caress of her hand on his cheek.”
What part of speech is “caress”?
Depending on how it is used, “caress” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “caress” come from?
The word “caress” comes from Latin. From French caresse, from Italian carezza ("endearment"), ultimately from Latin cārus ("dear, beloved").
How many meanings does “caress” have?
“Caress” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a gentle, affectionate touch.
