What does "kissing" mean?

1. (act of affection) the act of touching someone with your lips to show love, affection, or to say hello. 2. (barely touching) describing two things that are just touching each other very lightly.

How do you use "kissing"?

often used as an uncountable noun for the general activity or a countable noun for specific instances. usually appears before the noun it describes.

kissing

n. · adj.

US //ˈkɪsɪŋ// UK //kˈɪsɪŋ// kiss·ing

1 act of affection (n.)
A2 Elementary

the act of touching someone with your lips to show love, affection, or to say hello.

the physical act of pressing the lips against another person or surface, typically as an expression of affection, greeting, or reverence.

Example

The couple was caught kissing in the park behind the big oak tree.

Example

Public displays of kissing are viewed differently across cultures, ranging from a standard social greeting to a private act reserved for intimate partners.

Usage

often used as an uncountable noun for the general activity or a countable noun for specific instances.
- pecking
- smooching
2 barely touching (adj.)
C1 Advanced Literary

describing two things that are just touching each other very lightly.

describing two surfaces or objects that are in immediate proximity or light physical contact.

Example

The two branches were kissing in the light wind.

Example

The architect designed the two glass towers so they appeared to be kissing at the highest point of the atrium.

Usage

usually appears before the noun it describes.

Teacher's tip

This is a figurative or technical use; in everyday English, students should simply use 'touching'.
- separated
- distant

Etymology 1

From Middle English kissynge, cussinde, from Old English cyssende, from Proto-West Germanic kussijandī, from Proto-Germanic kussijandz, equivalent to kiss + -ing. Cognate with Saterland Frisian küsjend, Dutch kussend, German Low German küssend, German küssend, Swedish kyssande, Icelandic kyssandi.

Etymology 2

From Middle English kissynge, kyssynge, kessinge, from Old English cyssing, from Proto-West Germanic kussīngu, equivalent to kiss + -ing. Cognate with Middle Dutch cussinge (whence Dutch kussing (“kissing”)), Middle Low German küssinge (“kissing”), Middle High German küssunge (“kissing”). Compare also Old English cossettung (“kissing”).