Kiss: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ’‹
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kiss

 

[ kษชs ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

romantic

A kiss is the touching of one person's lips to another person's lips, cheek, forehead, or other body parts as an expression of love, greeting, respect, or affection.

Synonyms

peck, smooch, snog.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
kiss

General term for touching lips to someone or something. Can be used in a variety of contexts - romantic, familial, or social.

  • They shared a kiss under the stars.
  • She gave her grandmother a kiss on the cheek.
smooch

Endearing term for a more extended or passionate kiss, usually in a romantic context. Often carries a playful or affectionate tone.

  • They moved to a quiet corner of the party to share a smooch.
  • The couple was caught smooching in the hallway.
peck

A quick and light kiss, often used to show a friendly or familial affection. Can sometimes indicate a lack of deeper emotion.

  • He gave her a peck on the cheek before leaving for work.
  • She received a peck from her son as he ran out to play.
snog

Informal British term for a long and passionate kiss. Often implies a more intense or sometimes public display of affection. May carry a slightly negative or crude connotation in some contexts.

  • They were snogging in the back row of the cinema.
  • She didn't want her parents to catch her snogging her boyfriend.

Examples of usage

  • She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
  • They shared a passionate kiss under the stars.
Context #2 | Verb

romantic

To kiss means to touch someone else's lips with your own as a sign of love, affection, or greeting.

Synonyms

peck, smooch, snog.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
kiss

This is the most neutral and versatile word used to describe the act of pressing one's lips against someone or something else. It can be used in both formal and informal settings.

  • She gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek
  • They kissed under the mistletoe
smooch

An informal term for a long, passionate kiss. Often used to describe romantic kissing, especially among teenagers or young adults.

  • They were smooching in the back of the movie theater
  • The couple smooched under the stars
peck

A quick, light kiss, often associated with a brief show of affection that is less intimate than a full kiss. Usually used in casual or familial situations.

  • He gave her a peck on the cheek before heading to work
  • The child pecked his mother goodnight
snog

A British slang term for a kiss that is usually long and passionate. Often used in informal or casual settings, usually among friends.

  • They were snogging at the party
  • She caught her friend snogging her boyfriend

Examples of usage

  • He kissed her softly on the lips.
  • They kissed each other goodbye at the airport.

Translations

Translations of the word "kiss" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น beijo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคšเฅเค‚เคฌเคจ (chumban)

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Kuss

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ciuman

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพั†ั–ะปัƒะฝะพะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ pocaล‚unek

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ญใ‚น (kisu)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท baiser

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ beso

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท รถpmek

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ‚ค์Šค (kiseu)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู‚ุจู„ุฉ (qubla)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ polibek

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ bozk

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅป (wฤ›n)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ poljub

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ koss

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัาฏะนั–ั (sรผyis)

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒแƒชแƒœแƒ (kotsna)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ รถpรผลŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ beso

Etymology

The word 'kiss' has its origins in the Old English word 'cyssan' which is of Germanic origin. The act of kissing has been a common form of greeting and affection since ancient times, with references found in ancient Greek and Roman literature. Kissing customs vary across cultures, with some societies viewing it as a romantic gesture while others use it as a form of social greeting.

See also: kisser.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,621, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.