Kiss
What it means
A touch of the lips used to express affection, welcome, or tenderness.
Reach for it when naming a gentle affectionate gesture rather than love in general
She gave the sleepy child a kiss before turning off the lamp.
Words to choose between 5
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
|
| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
smooch
Fits when an affectionate kiss is described jokingly
Careful Smooch is too casual for solemn writing.
-
everyday
peck
Fits when the kiss is brief and light
Careful Peck can sound brisk when the moment is tender.
-
warm
Fits when gentle touch matters more than the lips
Careful A caress may use a hand and feel more intimate.
-
formal
salute
Fits when the gesture expresses ceremonial respect
Careful Salute is unclear when physical affection is central.
-
literary
buss
Fits when an old-fashioned playful word suits the voice
Careful Most modern readers may find buss unfamiliar.
Opposites 3
- rebuff
- slap
- rejection
Common phrases 3
-
gentle kiss
A gentle kiss reassured the child after the thunder woke her.
-
goodnight kiss
Their goodnight kiss ended the long day peacefully.
-
kiss on the cheek
A kiss on the cheek welcomed each aunt at the station.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated