kiss
kiss
Pronunciation
Kiss
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /kɪs/
Syllable 1: /kɪs/
/k/ as in "cat" (voiceless velar stop)
/ɪ/ as in "sit" (short high front unrounded vowel)
/s/ as in "hiss" (voiceless alveolar fricative)
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: kiss
Plural: kisses
Verb:
Base form: kiss
Past tense: kissed
Past participle: kissed
Present participle: kissing
Third-person singular present: kisses
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A touch or caress with the lips, typically as an expression of love, affection, greeting, or respect.
Synonyms: peck, smooch (informal), buss (archaic/poetic), embrace (can involve kissing)
Antonyms: slap, push (as actions of rejection/aggression)
A light touch or gentle contact, suggesting a brief or delicate impact, often figurative.
Synonyms: touch, brush, graze, caress, skim
Antonyms: blow, impact, strike, collision
(Informal, often plural 'kisses') Small, commercially produced confections, often chocolate, shaped to resemble a small, rounded mound.
Synonyms: chocolates, confections, sweets (general)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; refers to a specific candy type)
Verb
To touch with the lips as an expression of love, affection, greeting, or respect.
Synonyms: peck, smooch (informal), buss (archaic/poetic), embrace (can involve kissing)
Antonyms: avoid, shun, spurn (as actions of rejection)
To touch lightly or gently; to graze or brush against.
Synonyms: touch, brush, graze, skim, caress
Antonyms: hit, strike, impact, collide with
(Informal) To blow a kiss; to make a gesture of kissing.
Synonyms: blow a kiss, gesture a kiss
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific action)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He leaned down to kiss her forehead, a gesture of tender affection she rarely saw." (From a fictional romance novel, generic example)
"The final chapter details the bittersweet farewell, marked by a lingering kiss at the station." (From a literary novel, generic example)
"The ancient prophecy spoke of a time when the moon would kiss the earth, bringing forth a new era." (From a fantasy novel, metaphorical example)
Newspapers:
"The celebrity power couple shared a public kiss on the red carpet, confirming their relationship status." (From a gossip or entertainment news report, generic example)
"Local bakers are offering chocolate kisses as a special Valentine's Day treat." (From a local lifestyle or advertisement section, generic example, referring to the candy)
"The new solar panel technology allows the panels to 'sun-kiss' the rooftops, generating maximum energy." (From a science or innovation article, generic metaphorical use)
Online Publications:
"The ultimate guide to the perfect first kiss." (From a lifestyle or relationship advice blog, e.g., Cosmopolitan.com)
"This new recipe for chocolate chip cookies has a delightful ginger kick – a little kiss of spice!" (From a food blog, generic metaphorical use, referring to a subtle flavor)
"Learn how to make your own homemade Hershey's Kisses-style candies." (From a recipe website, e.g., Allrecipes.com, referring to the candy)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "You must remember this, a kiss is still a kiss." (From Casablanca)
Television Series: "The season finale ended with a passionate kiss between the two main characters, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next season." (Plot description or review of a drama, generic example)
Music (Song Lyrics): "Then he kissed me, and I knew that he loved me." (From "Then He Kissed Me" by The Crystals)
Video Games: (Less common for the literal action, but metaphorical) "The character's sword delivered a 'death kiss' to the final boss." (In-game narration or combat description, generic metaphorical use for a finishing blow)
Podcasts: "Our guest discusses the anthropology of the kiss across different cultures and eras." (From a cultural or social science podcast, generic example)
General Public Discourse:
"Give your mom a kiss goodbye." (Common instruction to children)
"I almost scraped the car, but it was just a light kiss from the wall." (Common informal description of a slight touch)
"Do you want a chocolate kiss?" (Common offer of candy)
"He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek." (Common casual observation)
"Good night, kiss the kids!" (Common parting phrase, especially for parents)
10 Famous Quotes Using Kiss
“A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.” — Ingrid Bergman
“Give me a kiss, and to that kiss a score; Then to that twenty, add a hundred more.” — Catullus, Roman poet
“The soul that can speak with its eyes can also kiss with a gaze.” — Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
“Kiss me, and you will see how important I am.” — Sylvia Plath
“One day you will kiss a man you can't breathe without, and find that breath is of little consequence.” — Karen Marie Moning
“It was the kind of kiss that made me know that I was never so happy in my whole life.” — Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
“The decision to kiss for the first time is the most crucial in any love story.” — Emil Ludwig
“A kiss may ruin a human life.” — Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere’s Fan
“Make me immortal with a kiss.” — Christopher Marlowe, Doctor Faustus
“Stolen kisses are always sweetest.” — Leigh Hunt
Etymology
The word "kiss" is quite old and its origins point to an imitative sound – the sound of a kiss itself!
It comes from the Proto-Germanic word *kussijan (a reconstructed word), which is believed to be onomatopoeic. This means the word was created to sound like the action it describes – the soft, smacking sound of lips.
This Proto-Germanic word then evolved into the Old English verb "cyssan" and the noun "coss."
So, the first known use and meaning of "kiss" in English (from its Old English forms), dating back to before 900 AD, was to refer to the act of touching with the lips as a sign of affection, greeting, or reverence. The noun form also existed from very early on, referring to the act itself. The core meaning of a lip-touch for various purposes has remained remarkably consistent throughout its long history.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Kiss
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "kiss," supplemented as needed:
Kiss and tell: To reveal intimate details of a romantic or sexual relationship.
Kiss of death: An action or event that seems helpful but actually causes ruin or failure.
Kiss up to (someone): (Informal) To flatter or behave obsequiously to someone in authority.
Kiss goodbye (to something): To accept that one will lose or no longer have something.
Kiss and make up: To reconcile after an argument or disagreement.
Blow a kiss: To send a kiss by waving one's hand from the lips.
French kiss: A deep kiss involving the tongue.
Seal with a kiss: To confirm or conclude something with a kiss (often written as "XOXO" in letters).
A light touch: A gentle contact, similar to a soft kiss. (Synonymous phrase)
A brush with destiny: A brief, significant encounter. (Similar to a "kiss" of fate)
Smack on the lips: A direct, often affectionate or playful, kiss. (Original phrase, descriptive)
A peck on the cheek: A quick, light kiss on the cheek. (Lesser-known, descriptive)
Soft contact: Gentle physical interaction. (Original phrase, focuses on the physical aspect of a kiss)
Tender embrace: A warm, close hug, often accompanied by a kiss. (Synonymous concept)
The gentle caress: A soft, loving touch, akin to a light kiss. (Original phrase, evocative)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of kiss from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
