petting
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)