fondle

1 of 2

verb

fon·​dle ˈfän-dᵊl 

fondled; fondling ˈfän-dᵊl-iŋ 

ˈfän-(d)liŋ

transitive verb

1

: to handle tenderly, lovingly, or lingeringly : caress

She fondled the string of pearls.

2

a

obsolete : pamper

b

: to touch (someone or something) sexually

… one of them fondled her neck.

—Nadine Gordimer

Not long ago, the New York Police Department investigated a dentist accused of fondling his patients after putting them under anesthesia.

—Donna McCrohan

intransitive verb

: to show affection or desire by caressing

fondler

ˈfän-dᵊl-ər 

ˈfän-(d)lər

noun

fondler

2 of 2

noun

fon·​dler -d(ᵊ)lə(r) 

plural -s

: one that fondles

Synonyms of fondle

Verb

• caress
• pat
• stroke

Examples of fondle in a Sentence

Verb

a cat who enjoys being fondled by his loving owners

Word History

Etymology

Verb

frequentative of obsolete fond to fondle

First Known Use

Verb

1721, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

fondle

verb

fon·​dle ˈfän-dᵊl 

fondled; fondling -(d)liŋ 

-dᵊl-iŋ

: to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner : caress, pet

fondler

-(d)lər 

-dᵊl-ər

noun