Standard Lemma guide

caressive

adj · noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • General-American, Received-Pronunciation: /kəˈɹɛsɪv/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɛsɪv

1

adj

Meaning 1

Having the nature of a caress; gentle, soothing.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: comforting, emollient, mollifying

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Of a diminutive: indicating affection or endearment.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: human-sciences, linguistics, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A type of diminutive indicating affection or endearment.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: human-sciences, linguistics, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From caress + -ive.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: hyväilevä — having the nature of a caress
  • Finnish: hellittely- — of a diminutive: indicating affection or endearment
  • Ukrainian: пестли́вий (pestlývyj) — of a diminutive: indicating affection or endearment