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foreplay

foreplay

51 7.0
Physical activity before sex that makes people feel more excited and close
  • noun
  • /ˈfɔrˌpleɪ/
  • NSFW
translation icon : preliminares
  • Mutual grooming is the original, and perhaps the best, form of foreplay.
  • foreplay and intercourse
  • sexual foreplay
  • behavior during foreplay

Jonathan sent me talking is foreplay for women.

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Examples

  • Don't skip foreplay, especially if things are already hot and heavy.

  • And "Shall We Dance?" has to be one of the most rousing acts of foreplay ever committed to film.

    Blog text (5)
  • Second question, what type of foreplay do you enjoy?

  • In your ideal world, how long would foreplay last?

  • Now, foreplay is a huge part of what I like to call the build up.

  • Perhaps next time you should try foreplay.

  • You have to have a lot of foreplay.

    Academic text (2004)
  • That's the pillow talk that I want, by the way, that's that foreplay for me.

  • Effective foreplay can significantly enhance intimacy between partners.

  • They explored different types of foreplay to increase their connection.

Synonyms

petting
vsforeplay
  • NSFW
34 7.1

Touching someone in a loving or sexual way, often on the body

is broader and covers other acts that increase arousal and intimacy before intercourse
stimulation
vsforeplay
  • Offensive
9 7.0

Touching that makes a person feel sexually excited before sex

includes emotional closeness as well as arousal before intercourse
fondling
vsforeplay
  • NSFW
4 9.2

To touch someone gently in a loving way, often before sex

focuses more generally on increasing both arousal and closeness before intercourse

Antonyms

afterplay
  • NSFW
8.2

A gentle time after sex when partners cuddle, kiss, or talk to feel close

How Arousing

sexual arousal
  • NSFW
3 5.3
foreplay
  • NSFW
51 7.0
stimulation
  • Offensive
9 7.0
caress
14 3.8

Surface Forms

foreplay singular
foreplays plural

Morphology

foreplay = play (semi-transparent) = fore + play

The formation fore- + play is morphologically clear, but the specific specialized sexual meaning is not directly predictable for all learners.

Etymology

The word foreplay is made of fore- 'before' and play 'play', so it means the playful actions people do before sex to get ready and feel closer.