verb
fondle
FON-duhl
verb
1
To touch or stroke gently and affectionately.
"She fondled the soft fur of the kitten."
"He absentmindedly fondled the coins in his pocket."
How to Use Fondle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stroke or touch something tenderly, often repeatedly.
When to use it
Can carry a sexual connotation depending on context, so be mindful of tone.
Word Forms
fondled past tense, fondles plural, fondles singular
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She _____ the soft fur of the kitten.
Etymology
Built from fond ("loving") plus the suffix -le, which often marks a repeated or gentle action, as in "cradle" or "wobble."