kissing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "kissing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the physical act of pressing one's lips against someone or something, usually in affection. Example sentence: He leaned in and gave her a gentle kissing on the cheek.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The same was true of his classic picture of Seberg kissing Belmondo on the cheek.

The Guardian - Arts

The book's last sequence, Lucinda's Way, is the sweetest – a fond remembrance of a lovely sounding marriage, one in which she never threw away a scrap of his writing "without kissing it first", and in which Reid, as he puts it, was "second always to you, the dashing heroine".

The Guardian - Books

Watts said she and Lucas had merely been kissing.

The Guardian

A court in Almaty has ordered an advertising agency to pay damages for designing a controversial poster showing two 19th-century cultural icons kissing.

The Guardian

The controversial poster – advertising an Almaty gay club at the intersection of Kurmangazy and Pushkin streets, was inspired by a famous image of the leaders of East Germany and the Soviet Union kissing in 1979.

The Guardian

Salo is a concentrated energy, a quintessence of national values The museum has photoshopped a piece of meat into the famous image of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev kissing East German Erich Honecker, and the restaurant has been known to serve the lard shaped into the heads of political and historical figures.

The Guardian

"We have adopted this resolution following complaints from villagers about couples kissing in public.

The Guardian

It certainly proved one thing – that Johnson was right to regrow his moustache, whatever objections his wife, Jessica, had to it (I assume they involved kissing, but I don't like to pry).

The Guardian - Sport

The Los Angeles police officer accused of showing racial bias during the detainment of Django Unchained actor Daniele Watts because she was kissing her white partner has said he was called to the scene because the couple were having sex in public.

The Guardian - Film

But it wasn't all kissing lambs and dressing up as The Stig for Jeremy Clarkson's birthday, and riding purloined police horses through the Chilterns, flaxen hair-a-billow.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just because we're black and he's white?" Watts said that she and Lucas had merely been kissing.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene, use "kissing" to convey affection or intimacy between characters. The context will dictate the appropriate level of detail.

Common error

Ensure your descriptions of "kissing" are clear about who is initiating and receiving the action to avoid unintended or confusing scenarios. Be specific about the emotional tone as well.

Linguistic Context

The term "kissing" primarily functions as a verb, often in its present participle form, describing the act of pressing one's lips against someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It can also function as a gerund or noun referring to the act of kissing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "kissing" is a versatile and widely used verb, typically expressing affection, greeting, or intimacy. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, the specific nuance of "kissing" can vary depending on the situation. Alternatives like "giving a kiss" or "embracing" can offer more specific connotations. When using "kissing", clarity about the action and emotional tone is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across different registers and purposes, making it a flexible and valuable term in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

giving a kiss

Focuses on the act of imparting a kiss, emphasizing the giver's action.

sharing a kiss

Highlights the mutual action of two individuals.

exchanging kisses

Underscores the reciprocity of the affectionate act.

pecking

Implies a quick and light kiss.

smooching

Indicates a more prolonged and intimate kiss.

canoodling

Suggests affectionate touching and kissing.

making out

Implies extensive kissing and light petting.

embracing

Focuses on the act of hugging, often accompanying kissing.

brushing lips

Describes a brief and gentle contact.

touching lips

Highlights the physical contact aspect.

FAQs

How to use "kissing" in a sentence?

You can use "kissing" to describe an action, such as "They were "kissing" in the park", or as a noun, for example: "The film featured a scene of prolonged "kissing"".

What can I say instead of "kissing"?

You can use alternatives like "giving a kiss", "sharing a kiss", or "embracing" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "kissing" or "making out"?

"Kissing" is a general term. "Making out" implies a more intense and prolonged form of kissing.

What's the difference between "kissing" and "pecking"?

"Kissing" is a general term for pressing one's lips against someone or something. "Pecking" usually refers to a quick, light kiss.