caress
/kəˈres/ (bre, ipa) · /kəˈres/ (ame, ipa) · /kə-ˈres/ (ame, mw)
caress — verb
- caresspresent simple I / you / we / they
- caresseshe / she / it
- caressedpast simple
- caressing-ing form
1. to move your hand or lips gently over a person's skin, hair, or an animal's fur
to move your hand or lips gently over a person's skin, hair, or an animal's fur as a way of showing love or care
Zara gently caressed her grandmother's wrinkled hand while sitting beside the hospital bed.
caress + body part (hand)
Aisha caressed her baby's forehead and whispered a soft goodnight song.
Hiroshi caressed the old cat's back as it lay purring in the sun.
The nurse gently caressed the child's arm before putting on the bandage.
- hit
the opposite of a loving touch
文法句型
caress + noun phrase (person / body part / animal)
用法筆記
Unlike 'stroke' or 'pat', 'caress' always carries a sense of tenderness and emotional warmth — the action is slow, soft, and affectionate rather than quick or functional.
常見錯誤
caress — noun
- caresssingular
- caressesplural
1. an act of gently touching or stroking a person's body or an animal's fur to show
an act of gently touching or stroking a person's body or an animal's fur to show love, care, or emotional warmth
Sofia gave her daughter a gentle caress on the cheek before school.
a gentle caress + on [body part]
The warm breeze against his face felt like a soft caress from the summer air.
figurative use: felt like a caress
A simple caress can sometimes express more love than a long speech.
Mateo remembered the gentle caress of his mother's hand when he was scared of the storm.
- slap
a harsh, aggressive motion opposite to a loving touch
文法句型
a / the + caress
caress + on + body part
caress + of + person / body part
用法筆記
The noun 'caress' can be used both literally (physical touch) and figuratively (e.g. sunlight, breeze, sound). When used literally, it typically refers to a brief, tender touch rather than a prolonged stroking motion.