caress

1 of 2

verb

ca·​ress kə-ˈres 

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 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

kə-ˈre-siŋ-lē 

adverb

caress

2 of 2

noun

1

: an act or expression of kindness or affection : endearment

… 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

kə-ˈre-siv 

adjective

caressively adverb

Synonyms of caress

Verb

• pat
• stroke
• fondle

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

In the snap, Portman, who’s expecting her third baby, her first with partner Tanguy Destable, could be seen standing in front of an apartment balcony in an oversized blue button-down, caressing her stomach. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026

Pulling out the rocket launcher Mac had bought him on the dark web, Dennis was genuinely overcome, caressing his bucket-list war weapon in stunned gratitude, while Mac beamed in what, on any other show, would be heartwarming friendship. — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026

Noun

Those of us with a penchant for fashion have managed—not without effort—to put aside the knowing glances, caresses, and hugs to take in every detail of the look. — Arancha Gamo, Glamour, 7 June 2026

Queen Margrethe’s pet has starred in some of the most tender moments, receiving the caresses of both her and Queen Mary. — Marta Martínez Tato, Vanity Fair, 17 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for caress

• abbess
• abscess
• access
• address
• assess
• confess
• depress
• digress
• distress
• egress
• excess
• express

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