caress

1 of 2

verb

ca·​ress kə-ˈres How to pronounce caress (audio)
caressed; caressing; caresses

transitive verb

1
: to treat with tokens of fondness, affection, or kindness : cherish
the regiment was fed and caressed at station after stationStephen 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 adverb

caress

2 of 2

noun

1
: an act or expression of kindness or affection : endearment
when the gifts and caresses of mankind shall recompense the toils of studySamuel Johnson
2
a
: a light stroking, rubbing, or patting
a gentle caress of her shoulder
b
: kiss
She gave him a parting caress.
caressive adjective
caressively adverb

Examples of caress in a Sentence

Verb She caressed the baby's cheek. A warm breeze caressed her face. Noun She gave the baby's cheek a gentle caress.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
With a rugged exterior as if it were washed on the salty shores of Venice Beach, this hoodie boasts a fluffy terry lining to caress those new tan lines. Astrid Kayembe, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2024 Cain’s version keeps the core emotions of the original, but expands them into a nearly 10-minute dreamscape, played at half tempo as Cain’s signature breathy vocals caress every syllable. Samantha Riedel, Them, 6 Sep. 2024
Noun
Syjuco’s hands, alive against the black and white archive, protect the faces of the photographed subjects, restoring their dignity, their private selves; the gesture reads simultaneously as a shield and a caress. Larissa Pham, ARTnews.com, 29 July 2024 Galitzine knows how to touch someone for maximum effect, the gentle-but-firm cupping of Hathaway’s jaw and the smooth caress of her hips. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 2 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for caress 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'caress.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

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

First Known Use

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of caress was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near caress

Cite this Entry

“Caress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caress. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

caress

noun
ca·​ress
kə-ˈres
1
: a tender or loving touch or hug
2
: a light stroking, rubbing, or patting
caress verb

More from Merriam-Webster on caress

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!