kiss

1 of 2

verb

kissed; kissing; kisses

transitive verb

1
: to touch (someone or something) with the lips especially as a mark of affection or greeting
kissed their children goodnight
2
: to touch (someone or something) gently or lightly
wind gently kissing the trees

intransitive verb

1
: to salute or caress one another with the lips
2
: to come in gentle contact
kissable adjective

kiss

2 of 2

noun

1
: a caress with the lips
a range of kisses from a passionate embrace to a friendly peck
2
: a gentle touch or contact
3
a
: a small drop cookie made of meringue
b
: a bite-size piece of candy often wrapped in paper or foil
4
: an expression of affection
sent him kisses in her letter
Phrases
kiss ass
vulgar : to act obsequiously especially to gain favor
kiss goodbye
1
: leave
2
: to resign oneself to the loss of
kiss one's ass
vulgar : to act obsequiously toward one especially to gain favor
kiss up to
: to curry favor with

Example Sentences

Verb They kissed each other passionately. She kissed him good night. I'll never forget the night we first kissed. When he got off the plane he knelt down and kissed the ground. The tree's branches kissed the ground below. Noun He gave her a kiss on the cheek. She greeted him with a hug and a kiss. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Busch and his team would love to pose for more pictures kissing the bricks at IMS following Sunday’s race. Clifton Brown, Indianapolis Star, 17 July 2017 The trainer turns and kisses one of the man-eaters on the nose. Holly Millea, Smithsonian, 29 June 2017 His wife walked up to the stage, hugged and kissed him. Maxine Bernstein, OregonLive.com, 6 July 2017 In another Instagram, Chyna is kissing a man who is not Rob. Tess Koman, Cosmopolitan, 5 July 2017 Read as a mama kangaroo hops her joey off to bed, while baby bats wake up to play, and a human Mama kisses her baby goodnight. South Florida Parenting, 3 July 2017 With the last one gone, Taba kisses the empty floor. Holly Millea, Smithsonian, 29 June 2017
Noun
Pierce and Keely Shaye, who have been married for over 21 years, were also seen sharing a quick kiss after the celebratory birthday meal. Tommy Mcardle, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023 Prince William gives his father a kiss during an emotional moment in the coronation ceremony. Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, 9 May 2023 Marco Prosch//Getty Images The Spice Girls Baby, Ginger, Scary, Sporty and Posh are famously already quite familiar with the King, with Mel B and Geri giving then-Prince Charles a kiss on the cheek at a Prince's Trust event in 1997. Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 7 May 2023 As in theater, the coronation transcended its starchier inclinations when emotion interrupted the rite — when, for instance, the Prince of Wales planted a kiss on his father’s cheek in church. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 6 May 2023 The couple went public with their relationship in 2021 when Brown posted a photo on her Instagram sharing a kiss with Bongiovi while riding the London Eye. Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 May 2023 At its best, prom is still all of those things, but there's a good-night kiss. Detroit Free Press, 30 Apr. 2023 The combination of the delicious food and the atmosphere, with so much natural light streaming in through the big windows and skylight, is chef's kiss. Lauren Sheffield, Harper's BAZAAR, 27 Apr. 2023 Cam and Emily, Season 2 Cam and Emily had an early spark after arriving at the villa, sharing a kiss even before Lana announced the rules. Charlotte Walsh, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kiss.' 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

Middle English, from Old English cyssan; akin to Old High German kussen to kiss

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kiss was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near kiss

Cite this Entry

“Kiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kiss. Accessed 30 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

kiss

1 of 2 verb
1
: to touch with the lips as a mark of love or greeting
2
: to touch gently or lightly
wind gently kissing the trees
kissable adjective

kiss

2 of 2 noun
1
: a loving touch with the lips
2
: a gentle touch or contact
3
a
: a small cookie made of meringue
b
: a bite-size candy
a chocolate kiss

More from Merriam-Webster on kiss

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