Kiss vs. Peck — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 5, 2023
A kiss is a gesture of affection involving the lips, while a peck is a brief, light kiss.
Difference Between Kiss and Peck
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A kiss is a universal expression of affection, typically involving two people pressing their lips together. It can be prolonged and passionate. A peck, however, is a quick, light touch of the lips, often seen as more casual and friendly.
Kissing can be a significant gesture in many cultures, symbolizing love, respect, greeting, or even a rite of passage. A peck is generally less intense and can be a quick way to say hello or goodbye, often among friends or family.
The act of kissing can vary widely in its technique and intensity, from a soft, lingering touch to a more intense, passionate embrace. A peck, by definition, lacks such depth and is often over in a moment.
Kisses can be exchanged on various parts of the body, not just the lips, and often carry romantic or affectionate connotations. Pecks are mostly restricted to the face and are not typically associated with romantic intent.
While a kiss, especially a first one, can be a milestone in many romantic relationships, a peck is often just a routine, friendly gesture that doesn’t carry the same weight or significance.
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Comparison Chart
Intensity
Can be soft or passionate
Always brief and light
Duration
Varies, can be prolonged
Always short
Connotation
Romantic, affectionate, respectful
Friendly, casual
Common Usage
Relationships, greetings in certain cultures
Greetings among friends, familial relationships
Variations
Can be on different body parts, various techniques
Mostly restricted to the face, little variation in method
Compare with Definitions
Kiss
A touch or caress with the lips.
She gave him a long, tender kiss before they parted.
Peck
A quick, light kiss.
He gave her a peck on the cheek before rushing off.
Kiss
A seal or stamp, often used metaphorically.
His letter had the kiss of approval.
Peck
A brief touch of the lips as a greeting.
They exchanged pecks as they met at the station.
Kiss
An act of pressing one's lips against another person or object.
She planted a kiss on the baby's forehead.
Peck
A casual gesture of affection.
Aunt Martha always gives me a peck when I see her.
Kiss
A gesture indicating affection, love, or respect.
Their first kiss was a memorable moment.
Peck
An act not carrying deep romantic connotations.
It was just a peck, nothing more.
Kiss
An act often associated with romantic intent.
The movie ended with a dramatic kiss.
Peck
A swift motion mimicking that of a bird.
He gave the fruit a peck, tasting it.
Kiss
A kiss is the touch or pressing of one's lips against another person or an object. Cultural connotations of kissing vary widely.
Peck
To grasp and pick up with the beak
The bird pecked insects from the log.
Kiss
(of a ball) lightly touch (another ball) in passing.
Peck
A peck is an imperial and United States customary unit of dry volume, equivalent to 2 dry gallons or 8 dry quarts or 16 dry pints. An imperial peck is equivalent to 9.09 liters and a US customary peck is equivalent to 8.81 liters.
Kiss
A touch or caress with the lips
A quick kiss on the cheek
Peck
To strike with the beak or a pointed instrument.
Kiss
A slight touch of a ball against another ball.
Peck
To make (a hole, for example) by striking repeatedly with the beak or a pointed instrument.
Kiss
A small cake, biscuit, or sweet.
Peck
(Informal) To kiss briefly and casually.
Kiss
To touch or caress with the lips as an expression of affection, greeting, respect, or amorousness.
Peck
To make strokes with the beak or a pointed instrument.
Kiss
To touch lightly or gently
Flowers that were kissed by dew.
Peck
To eat in small sparing bits; nibble
He pecked at his dinner.
Kiss
To strike lightly; brush against
Barely kissed the other car with the bumper.
Peck
To make repeated criticisms; carp
Pecked at the kitchen staff.
Kiss
To engage in mutual touching or caressing with the lips.
Peck
A stroke or light blow with the beak or a pointed instrument.
Kiss
To come into light contact.
Peck
A mark or hole made by such a stroke.
Kiss
A caress or touch with the lips.
Peck
(Informal) A light quick kiss.
Kiss
A slight or gentle touch.
Peck
A unit of dry volume or capacity in the US Customary System equal to 8 quarts or approximately 537.6 cubic inches.
Kiss
A small piece of candy, especially of chocolate.
Peck
A unit of dry volume or capacity in the British Imperial System equal to 8 quarts or approximately 554.8 cubic inches.
Kiss
A drop cookie made of egg whites and sugar.
Peck
A container holding or measuring a peck.
Kiss
(transitive) To touch with the lips or press the lips against, usually to show love or affection or passion, or as part of a greeting.
Peck
(Informal) A large quantity; a lot
A peck of troubles.
Kiss
(ambitransitive) To (cause to) touch lightly or slightly; to come into contact.
The nearside of the car just kissed a parked truck as he took the corner at high speed.
His ball kissed the black into the corner pocket.
Peck
(ambitransitive) To strike or pierce with the beak or bill (of a bird).
The birds pecked at their food.
Kiss
(intransitive) Of two or more people, to touch each other's lips together, usually to express love or affection or passion.
Peck
(transitive) To form by striking with the beak or a pointed instrument.
To peck a hole in a tree
Kiss
To treat with fondness.
Peck
To strike, pick, thrust against, or dig into, with a pointed instrument, especially with repeated quick movements.
Kiss
A touch with the lips, usually to express love or affection, or as a greeting.
Peck
To seize and pick up with the beak, or as if with the beak; to bite; to eat; often with up.
Kiss
An 'X' mark placed at the end of a letter or other type of message, signifying the bestowal of a kiss from the sender to the receiver.
Peck
To do something in small, intermittent pieces.
He has been pecking away at that project for some time now.
Kiss
A type of filled chocolate candy, shaped as if someone had kissed the top. See Hershey's Kisses.
Peck
To type by searching for each key individually.
Kiss
(astronomy) The alignment of two bodies in the solar system such that they have the same longitude when seen from Earth, conjunction.
Peck
(rare) To type in general.
Kiss
(aviation) A low-speed mid-air collision between the envelopes of two hot air balloons, generally causing no damage or injury.
Peck
To kiss briefly.
Kiss
To salute with the lips, as a mark of affection, reverence, submission, forgiveness, etc.
He . . . kissed her lips with such a clamorous smack,That at the parting all the church echoed.
Peck
(regional) To throw.
Kiss
To touch gently, as if fondly or caressingly.
When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees.
Peck
To lurch forward; especially, of a horse, to stumble after hitting the ground with the toe instead of the flat of the foot.
Kiss
To make or give salutation with the lips in token of love, respect, etc.; as, kiss and make friends.
Peck
An act of striking with a beak.
Kiss
To meet; to come in contact; to touch fondly.
Like fire and powder,Which as they kiss consume.
Rose, rose and clematis,Trail and twine and clasp and kiss.
Peck
A small kiss.
Kiss
A salutation with the lips, as a token of affection, respect, etc.; as, a parting kiss; a kiss of reconciliation.
Last with a kiss, she took a long farewell.
Dear as remembered kisses after death.
Peck
One quarter of a bushel; a dry measure of eight quarts.
They picked a peck of wheat.
Kiss
A small piece of confectionery.
Peck
A great deal; a large or excessive quantity.
She figured most children probably ate a peck of dirt before they turned ten.
Kiss
The act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
Peck
The fourth part of a bushel; a dry measure of eight quarts; as, a peck of wheat.
Kiss
A cookie made of egg whites and sugar
Peck
A great deal; a large or excessive quantity.
Kiss
Any of several bite-sized candies
Peck
A quick, sharp stroke, as with the beak of a bird or a pointed instrument.
Kiss
A light glancing touch;
There was a brief kiss of their hands in passing
Peck
To strike with the beak; to thrust the beak into; as, a bird pecks a tree.
Kiss
Touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.;
The newly married couple kissed
She kissed her grandfather on the forehead when she entered the room
Peck
Hence: To strike, pick, thrust against, or dig into, with a pointed instrument; especially, to strike, pick, etc., with repeated quick movements.
Kiss
Touch lightly or gently;
The blossoms were kissed by the soft rain
Peck
To seize and pick up with the beak, or as with the beak; to bite; to eat; - often with up.
This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peas.
Peck
To make, by striking with the beak or a pointed instrument; as, to peck a hole in a tree.
Peck
To make strokes with the beak, or with a pointed instrument.
Peck
To pick up food with the beak; hence, to eat.
[The hen] went pecking by his side.
Peck
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent;
A batch of letters
A deal of trouble
A lot of money
He made a mint on the stock market
It must have cost plenty
Peck
A British imperial capacity measure (liquid or dry) equal to 2 gallons
Peck
A United States dry measure equal to 8 quarts or 537.605 cubic inches
Peck
Hit lightly with a picking motion
Peck
Eat by pecking at, like a bird
Peck
Kiss lightly
Peck
Eat like a bird;
The anorexic girl just picks at her food
Peck
Bother persistently with trivial complaints;
She nags her husband all day long
Common Curiosities
Is a kiss always romantic?
No, kisses can be friendly, respectful, or ceremonial.
Is a peck always casual?
Typically, yes. Pecks are brief and light.
Is it common to greet with a peck in some cultures?
Yes, in many cultures, a peck is a common greeting.
How long does a peck last compared to a kiss?
A peck is quick, while a kiss can be prolonged.
Can a kiss be given on parts other than lips?
Yes, like the forehead, cheeks, or hand.
Which is more formal, a kiss or a peck?
A peck is often seen as more casual.
Is a peck the same in all cultures?
The concept exists, but cultural nuances differ.
Which is more intimate, a kiss or a peck?
Generally, a kiss.
Is a peck considered a type of kiss?
Yes, a peck is a brief form of a kiss.
Does a kiss always signify deep affection?
Not always, it can be a simple gesture too.
Is a kiss's intensity always the same?
No, it can vary greatly.
Are both kiss and peck nouns and verbs?
Yes, both words can be used as nouns and verbs.
Is a peck always on the face?
Mostly, but it can occasionally vary.
Can a peck be between friends?
Yes, often it's a friendly gesture.
Can a peck be romantic?
Rarely, it's usually seen as casual.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
