trailing kisses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trailing kisses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a romantic or affectionate gesture where kisses are given in a lingering or following manner, often implying intimacy or tenderness. Example: "As they walked along the beach, she leaned in to give him trailing kisses, each one more passionate than the last."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Just wander back to the neck every now and again, trailing kisses like we talked about.

WikiHow

Try trailing kisses towards your partner's ear and gently sucking on his or her earlobe (be careful of earrings!).

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Here's an extract: Elizabeth trailed kisses along his throat and neck until she reached his earlobe and took it between her teeth.

Independent

The whole time, he was stroking her hair and trailing light kisses down her shoulder, as if he'd forgotten that ten minutes ago he'd thrown her around as if they were in a porno and growled, "I always wanted to fuck a girl with nice tits" in her ear.

The New Yorker

Trail kisses from mouth to neck for ultimate effect.

WikiHow

Trail kisses across your partner's face and down his or her neck or shoulder (if he is her shoulder is exposed).

WikiHow

Leave a trail of kisses down to her neck.

WikiHow

(She kissed him on the cheek and he left, with the press trailing him).

The New York Times

A PORTLY official from the office of the Palestinian prime minister, Salam Fayyad, planted a kiss on Musa Abu Mariya's right eye, enveloped him in a bear hug and sped off in his sport utility vehicle trailing a cloud of dust.

The Economist

She did what was required, and more — not only accompanying him on the campaign trail and kissing him for the cameras, but attacking the women who had made their grievances known.

The New Yorker

Martinez trailed the group, waving and clapping and blowing kisses into the stands.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trailing kisses" to evoke a sense of intimacy and affection, particularly when describing romantic or sensual scenarios. The phrase works well in creative writing to add a touch of tenderness.

Common error

Avoid using "trailing kisses" in contexts where the action is not meant to be intimate or affectionate. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound cliché.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trailing kisses" functions primarily as a noun phrase, describing a specific type of action. As shown by Ludwig, it often acts as the object of verbs like 'give' or 'leave', indicating the action performed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trailing kisses" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a sensual and affectionate gesture. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is more common in informal contexts, such as romance novels or personal narratives, than in academic or formal writing. While the phrase may not be suitable for every writing style, its evocative nature makes it a valuable addition to creative descriptions of intimacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a trail of kisses

Uses 'trail' as a noun, altering the grammatical structure but maintaining a similar image.

lingering kisses

Focuses on the prolonged duration of the kisses rather than the movement.

successive kisses

Emphasizes the sequence of kisses, but lacks the gentle or affectionate connotation.

wandering kisses

Similar to 'roaming kisses', but implies a more aimless and gentle exploration.

followed by kisses

Highlights the sequence, but is less poetic.

roaming kisses

Highlights the exploratory aspect of the kisses.

a string of kisses

Emphasizes the sequential nature of the kisses.

gentle kisses

Emphasizes the tenderness of the kisses, missing the sequential aspect.

soft kisses

Focuses on the feeling of the kisses but not the movement.

sequential pecks

Replaces 'kisses' with a lighter term and emphasizes the order.

FAQs

How can I use "trailing kisses" in a sentence?

You can use "trailing kisses" to describe a romantic gesture, such as, "She left a trail of "trailing kisses" down his neck" or "He gave her "trailing kisses" along her shoulder".

What are some alternatives to "trailing kisses"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "lingering kisses", "soft kisses", or "gentle kisses" to convey a similar meaning.

What does "trailing kisses" typically imply?

"Trailing kisses" suggests a series of light, affectionate kisses that follow a path, often implying intimacy and tenderness. It's a more sensual and deliberate gesture than a simple peck.

Is "trailing kisses" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "trailing kisses" is generally more suitable for creative writing, romance novels, or personal narratives. It may not be appropriate for formal or academic writing due to its intimate connotation.