kiss

1 of 2

verb

ˈkis 

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

ˈki-sə-bəl 

adjective

see also:

kiss ass kiss goodbye kiss one's ass kiss up to

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

Synonyms of kiss

Verb

• cuddle
• smooch
• hug
• snuggle

Examples of kiss in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Beneath red tinsel and in the dim glow of club lighting, six young couples kiss, each seemingly wrapped up in their own little worlds. — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

One shot showed the pair standing outside a helicopter and another was a selfie of the 45-year-old former talent manager kissing Sweeney on the cheek. — Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Noun

Beasley, ever the showman, actually planted a kiss on KU forward Carlton Bragg’s cheek as the Cats enjoyed every moment of Tuesday’s rout. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026

The model got engaged to her now-husband in September 2022, announcing the news alongside an Instagram photo of the pair sharing a sweet kiss. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026

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

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing kiss

• air-kiss
• blow (someone) a kiss
• butterfly kiss
• chef's kiss
• French kiss
• kiss and cry
• kiss and make up
• kiss-and-tell
• kiss goodbye
• kiss of death
• kiss off
• kiss of life
• kiss of peace
• kiss something goodbye
• kiss up to
• soul kiss
• steal a kiss
• the kiss of life
• throw (someone) a kiss

Rhymes for kiss

• bis
• bliss
• criss
• dis
• diss
• hiss
• kris
• liss
• mis
• miss
• riss
• sis

Kids Definition

kiss

1 of 2 verb

ˈkis 

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

-ə-bəl 

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