petting

PET-ing/ˈpɛtɪŋ/

4 meanings of petting

1
noununcountable
Gentle stroking or patting of an animal with the hand.
Like giving a soft, friendly rub to a pet to make it happy.
Gentle petting can calm a scared dog.
The children loved the petting zoo at the fair.
Similarstroking, patting, caressing
2
noununcountable
Kissing and touching another person in a sexual way.
Their relationship had not progressed beyond petting.
She told him she wasn't comfortable with any petting yet.
Similarnecking, fondling, caressing, foreplay
Note
3
verb
Present participle of pet. Use this form for an action happening right now.
She is petting the dog gently.
He kept petting the cat until it fell asleep.
Note
4
noununcountable
Spoiling someone by treating them as a special favorite.
Like always giving one child extra treats and attention.
The youngest child got a lot of petting from his grandparents.
All that petting made the boy expect special treatment.
Similarpampering, coddling, indulgence, spoiling, favoritism
Oppositeneglect
Note

petting is a form of pet

pet, verb: To touch or rub an animal gently with your hand. Full entry

Forms: petpets he/she/itpetting -ing formpetted past tense, past participle
Spelling: pet → petting: double the t, add -ing

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