kissing
Kissing (noun) means the act of touching someone with the lips as a sign of affection. Example: “There was a lot of kissing and hugging at the airport reunion.”
How to use kissing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe activity of kissing, or (as an adjective) very close/touching.
Word forms
kissings plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There was a lot of _____ and hugging at the airport reunion.
Etymology
From Middle English kissynge, cussinde, from Old English cyssende, from Proto-West Germanic *kussijandī, from Proto-Germanic *kussijandz, equivalent to kiss + -ing. Cognate with Saterland Frisian küsjend, Dutch kussend, German Low German küssend, German küssend, Swedish kyssande, Icelandic kyssandi.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for kissing
See all rhymes for kissing →Frequently asked questions
What does “kissing” mean?
The word “kissing” means the act of touching someone with the lips as a sign of affection. In plain terms, the activity of kissing, or (as an adjective) very close/touching.
How do you pronounce “kissing”?
“Kissing” is pronounced KIH-sihng (/ˈkɪsɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “kissing” in a sentence?
Here is “kissing” used in a sentence: “There was a lot of kissing and hugging at the airport reunion.”
What part of speech is “kissing”?
Depending on how it is used, “kissing” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “kissing” a common word?
“Kissing” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “kissing” have?
“Kissing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of touching someone with the lips as a sign of affection.
What is the difference between kissing and snogging?
Kissing is the general act of touching someone with the lips as a sign of affection. Snogging is British informal slang for prolonged, passionate kissing, so it names a more specific and casual version of the same thing.
What is the difference between kissing and pecking?
Kissing is the general act of touching someone with the lips in affection, while a peck is a short, light kiss. Pecking therefore describes a quick, casual form of kissing rather than a lingering one.
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