# kissing

/ˈkɪsɪŋ/ (US) · /kˈɪsɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kissing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. act of affection

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

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

### 2. barely touching

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

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

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

- The two branches were kissing in the light wind.
- 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.

Teaching tip: This is a figurative or technical use; in everyday English, students should simply use 'touching'.

## Examples

- The movie ends with a scene of romantic kissing.
- In some cultures, kissing on both cheeks is a standard way to greet a friend or family member.
- The novel explores how public displays of kissing have evolved from scandalous social transgressions to widely accepted expressions of intimacy in modern urban environments.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.