caress

verb ca·ress \ kə-ˈres \

Definition of caress

transitive verb

1 :to treat with tokens of fondness, affection, or kindness :cherish

the regiment was fed and caressed at station after station
—Stephen Crane

2 a :to touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner

She caressed the baby's cheek.

b :to touch or affect as if with a caress

echoes that caress the ear

—

caresser

noun

—

caressingly

play \kə-ˈre-siŋ-lē\ adverb

See caress defined for English-language learners

Examples of caress in a Sentence

She caressed the baby's cheek.
A warm breeze caressed her face.

Recent Examples of caress from the Web

It is packed with suggestions of apricot and apple, caressing with its jolt of sweetness (nearly 4 percent residual sugar) and finishing with a snap of refreshing acidity that insists on one more sip.

— mike dunne, sacbee, "Dunne on Wine: There’s still time for white wine," 30 Aug. 2017
The male approaches the female and caresses her with his palps.

— jason bittel, Smithsonian, "Camel Spiders Are Fast, Furious and Horrifically Fascinating," 9 Aug. 2017
Newman drops a couple of petals into the water, hands me the rose to smell, and proceeds to caress my feet, saying nothing but gazing into my eyes the entire time.

— The Cut, "The Marriage Therapist at a Tantra Retreat," 6 Aug. 2017
Gregory reads the stories’ general narration in a well-bred, caressing voice, a manner precisely in keeping with Hadley’s own way of setting her characters up for disturbing developments.

— katherine a. powers, The Seattle Times, "For your listening pleasure: 6 great new audiobooks," 31 July 2017
Williams caressed a forehand winner down the line on a third match point to seal victory over Konta and celebrated in understated fashion.

— CNN, "Wimbledon 2017: Venus Williams reaches ninth final," 13 July 2017
But now the stoner world is so much sleeker and more subtle: Press a little button on your vape pen and that essential oil de Girl Scout Cookie turns to sweet mist and caresses your lungs with its glorious flavors of Funnier and Less Boring.

— heather havrilesky, The Cut, "Ask Polly: Do I Smoke Too Much Pot?," 27 June 2017
As far as Kam and Chambers were concerned, the agency’s stipulations were patent no-brainers: Relax, hop on a zip line, caress a jungle critter or two, make googly eyes at each other.

— emily mae czachor, latimes.com, "‘Our relationship is our profession’: At VidCon, LGBTQ social media influencers talk love and brands," 25 June 2017
The different-size plots — angled to dovetail harmoniously, positioned to carefully caress the contours of the hillsides and bordered by dry stone walls — prevent this unique and improbable place to live from sliding into the sea.

— gaia pianigiani, New York Times, "To Save Its Cliffside Towns, Italy Revives the Art of Terracing," 6 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'caress.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of caress

French caresser, from Italian carezzare, from carezza — see ²caress

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1598

See Words from the same year

caress Synonyms

Synonyms

fondle, gentle, love, pat, pet, stroke

Related Words

bill, canoodle, cuddle, neck, nestle, nose, nuzzle, snuggle, spoon; feel up, paw; cradle, embrace, enfold, hug; bounce, dandle; knead, massage; baby, coddle, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil

caress

noun

Definition of caress

1 :an act or expression of kindness or affection :endearment

when the gifts and caresses of mankind shall recompense the toils of study
—Samuel Johnson

2 a :a light stroking, rubbing, or patting

a gentle caress of her shoulder

b :kiss

She gave him a parting caress.

—

caressive

play \-ˈre-siv\ adjective

—

caressively

adverb

See caress defined for English-language learners

See caress defined for kids

Examples of caress in a Sentence

She gave the baby's cheek a gentle caress.

Recent Examples of caress from the Web

The variations gave Wosner the opportunity to display a gorgeous cantabile tone, a fine partner to Koh’s silky caress of the theme.

— christian hertzog, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Jennifer Koh, Shai Wosner deliver sizzling SummerFest performance," 17 Aug. 2017
Four months later, so did another woman after Collazos treated a toothache with a shot into her bare buttocks followed by a caress of those buttocks.

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "Inability to keep his hands to himself takes a bite out of fake dentist’s freedom," 4 July 2017
Words: squirt, passion, caress, schmuck, euphoric, champagne (Kenny misses it by a hair), boudoir (Iggy spells as bordeaux?), façade (butchered), etc.

— elizabeth logan, Glamour, "'The Bachelorette' Season 13 Episode 4 Recap: Drama, Drama, Drama," 19 June 2017
Just shy of two weeks later, the 7-year-old shepherd-lab mix was excited and eager to accept the pets and caresses of strangers.

— matt campbell, kansascity.com, "Dog chained to cinder block and left to die at Longview Lake gets new home," 11 May 2017
Harry is on a desperate mission, and soon Marianne and Paul’s bliss has been rather violently commandeered by wandering glances and furtive caresses.

— kathryn shattuck, New York Times, "What’s On TV Monday: Tilda Swinton in ‘A Bigger Splash’ and Rachel Weisz in ‘The Deep Blue Sea’," 8 May 2017
Males who don’t follow proper foreplay protocol—about 90 minutes of abdomen jiggling and light caresses—will also be eaten.

— National Geographic, "Bondage, Cannibalism, and Castration—Spiders' Wild Sex Lives," 14 Feb. 2017

Origin and Etymology of caress

French caresse, from Italian carezza, from caro dear, from Latin carus — more at charity

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1609

See Words from the same year

CARESS Defined for English Language Learners

caress

verb

Definition of caress for English Language Learners

: to touch (someone or something) in a gentle way

caress

noun

Definition of caress for English Language Learners

: a gentle or loving touch

CARESS Defined for Kids

caress

noun ca·ress \ kə-ˈres \

Definition of caress for Students

:a tender or loving touch or hug

caress

verb

Definition of caress for Students

caressed; caressing

:to touch in a tender or loving way

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caress

Definition of caress

caresser

caressingly

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Origin and Etymology of caress

caress Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

caress

Definition of caress

caressive

caressively

Examples of caress in a Sentence

Recent Examples of caress from the Web

Origin and Etymology of caress

CARESS Defined for English Language Learners

caress

Definition of caress for English Language Learners

caress

Definition of caress for English Language Learners

CARESS Defined for Kids

caress

Definition of caress for Students

caress

Definition of caress for Students

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