French word

caresser

Pronunciation

IPA/kaʁese/

Meaning

  • verbpet

Example

Je caresse mon chat.

I pet my cat.

Illustration for caresser (pet)

More examples

Elle caresse doucement la joue de son enfant.

She gently strokes her child's cheek.

Core concept

A hand gliding slowly and gently over fur, skin, or a surface in a soothing gesture.

Common phrases

  • caresser un chat

    pet a cat

  • caresser la joue

    stroke the cheek

  • caresser dans le sens du poil

    flatter someone

Similar words

toucher: To touch someone or something with a hand or another body part.
embrasser: To kiss someone by pressing the lips against them.
tapoter: To tap lightly and repeatedly with the fingers or hand.

Definition in French

Passer doucement la main sur une personne, un animal ou une chose pour montrer de la tendresse ou apporter du confort.

Word origin

French caresser was formed from caresse, borrowed from Italian carezza and ultimately related to Latin carus, meaning dear or beloved.

Usage tips

  • Caresser takes a direct object without a preposition, as in caresser son chat, and is a regular -er verb.

Other meanings

  • caressverb
  • strokeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • caressecaressnoun
  • caressantcaressingadjective

Word lists with this word