Library / English Dictionary

FONDLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner

Example:

They fondled in the back seat of the taxi

Synonyms:

caress; fondle

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "fondle" is one way to...):

stroke (touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "fondle"):

paw (touch clumsily)

grope (fondle for sexual pleasure)

dandle (pet)

pet (stroke or caress in an erotic manner, as during lovemaking)

chuck; pat (pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin)

nose; nuzzle (rub noses)

pet (stroke or caress gently)

tickle (touch or stroke lightly)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

fondling (affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs))

Credits

 Context examples: 

Called attention to J. as being beautifully sleek. D. fondled J. Associations thus awakened, opened floodgates of sorrow. Rush of grief admitted. (Are tears the dewdrops of the heart? M.)

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The airedale—undoubtedly there was an airedale concerned in it somewhere though its feet were startlingly white—changed hands and settled down into Mrs. Wilson's lap, where she fondled the weather-proof coat with rapture.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)