foreplay
n. uncountablen. sexual activity that happens before people have sex. It is meant to help both partners feel ready and excited.
n. sexual activity that precedes intercourse, intended to increase arousal and physical readiness. Often involves touching, kissing, or other forms of intimacy.
They spent a long time on foreplay before having sex.
Health experts emphasize that foreplay is an essential part of a healthy and consensual sexual relationship.
The novel explores how emotional intimacy and extended foreplay can strengthen the bond between long-term partners, moving beyond purely physical descriptions of their encounters.
From fore- + play.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Typically used as an uncountable noun; occasionally used metaphorically to describe the lead-up to a major event.
Last updated May 11, 2026