verb
fondle
FON-duhl
Fondle (verb) means to touch or stroke gently and affectionately. Example: “She fondled the soft fur of the kitten.”
verb
1
To touch or stroke gently and affectionately.
"Mothers fondle their babies."
"idly fondling the cat's ears"
"She fondled the soft fur of the kitten."
"He absentmindedly fondled the coins in his pocket."
How to use fondle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stroke or touch something tenderly, often repeatedly.
When to use it
Can carry a sexual connotation depending on context, so be mindful of tone.
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Word forms
- Plural
- fondles
- Third person singular
- fondles
- Past tense
- fondled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the soft fur of the kitten.
Etymology
Built from fond ("loving") plus the suffix -le, which often marks a repeated or gentle action, as in "cradle" or "wobble."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “fondle” mean?
The word “fondle” means to touch or stroke gently and affectionately. In plain terms, to stroke or touch something tenderly, often repeatedly.
How do you pronounce “fondle”?
“Fondle” is pronounced FON-duhl (/ˈfɒndəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “fondle” in a sentence?
Here is “fondle” used in a sentence: “She fondled the soft fur of the kitten.”
What is another word for “fondle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fondle” include canoodle, caress, chuckle, coax, cosset and dally.
What part of speech is “fondle”?
“Fondle” is a verb.
