fondle

verb

fon·​dle ˈfän-dᵊl How to pronounce fondle (audio)
fondled; fondling ˈfän-(d)liŋ How to pronounce fondle (audio)
-dᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

1
: to handle tenderly, lovingly, or lingeringly : caress
She fondled the string of pearls.
2
a
obsolete : pamper
b
: to touch (someone or something) sexually
… one of them fondled her neck.Nadine Gordimer
Not long ago, the New York Police Department investigated a dentist accused of fondling his patients after putting them under anesthesia.Donna McCrohan

intransitive verb

: to show affection or desire by caressing
fondler
ˈfän-(d)lər How to pronounce fondle (audio)
-dᵊl-ər
noun

Examples of fondle in a Sentence

a cat who enjoys being fondled by his loving owners

Word History

Etymology

frequentative of obsolete fond to fondle

First Known Use

1721, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fondle was in 1721

Dictionary Entries Near fondle

Cite this Entry

“Fondle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fondle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fondle

verb
fon·​dle ˈfän-dᵊl How to pronounce fondle (audio)
fondled; fondling -(d)liŋ How to pronounce fondle (audio)
-dᵊl-iŋ
: to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner : caress, pet
fondler
-(d)lər How to pronounce fondle (audio)
-dᵊl-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on fondle

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!