Definition

Noun: 1. Affectionate physical contact: The act of showing affection through touching, stroking, or caressing, typically in a romantic or intimate context but often distinguished from direct sexual contact. 2. A session of amorous touching and kissing: A period of intimate physical interaction, such as kissing and caressing, that may serve as a form of foreplay.

Usage

• As a subject: "Petting is a common way for young couples to express affection."
• As an object: "They engaged in some petting before the movie started."

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "Heavy petting": A term used to describe intimate touching that is more intense or sexually charged, though still often excluding direct genital contact.
  • The film implied a scene of heavy petting but showed nothing explicit.

Variants and Related Words

• Pet (verb): To stroke or caress gently, often an animal.
  • She loves to pet her cat.
• Necking (noun, informal): Kissing and caressing, especially for a prolonged period. Often used similarly to "petting."

Synonyms

• Caressing
• Fondling
• Smooching (informal, often implies more kissing)
• Canoodling (informal, humorous)

Antonyms

• Abstinence
• Avoidance (of physical contact)

Related Phrases

• "Make out" (phrasal verb, informal): To engage in passionate kissing and petting.
  • They decided to make out on the couch.

Noun

1. affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)