What does osculating mean?
Osculating is a formal or archaic adjective meaning involved in kissing or exchanging kisses. Its use often gives a sentence an elevated, romantic, or comically old-fashioned tone, as in a description of an osculating couple, osculating lovers, or figures represented in a sculpture. Although the word is still readily understood, it is unusual in everyday conversation, where kissing is normally the simpler choice. The related verb osculate and noun osculation carry the same formal character and are also encountered mainly in literary, historical, or humorous contexts. Osculating belongs to a family derived from the Latin word osculari, meaning “to kiss.” The word can therefore suggest tenderness and intimacy, while its rarity makes it especially effective for stylistic emphasis.
adjectiveOsculating means engaged in kissing or exchanging kisses. It is a literary or archaic term, often used with humorous or deliberately formal effect.
- Engaged in kissing or exchanging kisses.
"The osculating couple stepped back onto the dance floor."
"The statue depicts two osculating figures beneath a flowering tree."
"She wrote about the osculating lovers in language both tender and theatrical."
Osculating is the literary equivalent of kissing, but its formal tone makes it sound like a scene from a very serious historical romance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does osculating come from?
The word derives from the Latin osculari, meaning “to kiss,” which is related to osculum, a word for a kiss or small mouth. English adopted osculate in the 16th century, and the present participle osculating developed from that verb. Its relatives osculation and osculatory preserve the same learned, literary character.
Related word forms
How osculating is actually used
Literary, archaic, and occasionally humorous in modern English. It can describe actual kissing or, figuratively, a conspicuously affectionate display.
Easily confused with osculating
Oscillating means moving repeatedly back and forth, whereas osculating means kissing.