What does osculate mean?
Osculate is a formal verb meaning to kiss, particularly with the lips. Its elevated tone makes it suitable for literary description, historical narration, ceremonial language, or deliberate humour: one might say that two figures in a painting appear to osculate, or that a couple osculated after the wedding. The word comes from Latin and originally carried associations of the mouth and kissing. Although it remains recognizable and occasionally appears in formal writing, ordinary speakers normally use “kiss” instead. Osculate is also useful when the precise manner of kissing matters, since it can imply contact between the lips rather than any more general affectionate gesture. The related noun “osculation” appears in legal, scientific, and literary contexts, while “osculatory” is a formal adjective meaning connected with kissing.
verbTo kiss, especially with the lips. The word is chiefly formal or literary and is sometimes used humorously.
- To kiss, especially with the lips.
"At parting, the two lovers osculated briefly."
"The two statues were carved so that their faces appear to osculate."
"After the ceremony, the newlyweds osculated before the assembled guests."
A formal word for a kiss, osculate gives an ordinary moment an unexpectedly ceremonial or literary air.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does osculate come from?
Osculate was borrowed into English from Latin osculari, “to kiss.” The Latin verb is associated with osculum, a diminutive of os, meaning “mouth,” and with the idea of bringing the mouth into contact with another mouth. Related English words such as “oral,” “orator,” and “oratory” also derive from the Latin root os, although their modern meanings concern speaking rather than kissing.
Related word forms
How osculate is actually used
This is a formal, literary, or occasionally humorous word. In modern everyday English, “kiss” is overwhelmingly the usual choice.
Easily confused with osculate
To osculate means to kiss, whereas to oscillate means to move regularly back and forth or vary between states.