Basic+ Word of the Day: caress

caress (noun, verb) past tense: caressed

A caress is a gentle touch expressing affection or care.

• The mother's caress calmed the baby.
• David's caresses made her feel warm and safe.

Caress means ‘to touch or stroke affectionately.’

• When his son arrived at the airport, Peter caressed him.
• As Miranda waded in the ocean, the gentle waves caressed her legs.

In pop culture

Caress is the name of a soap. Watch this ad to see how the advertisers want you to believe that their soap will caress your body when you wash with it. And notice their slogan at the end of the ad: “Before you dress, Caress.”

There are other meanings of caress.