noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   A method of making an image by placing a piece of paper against an object and then rubbing over it, usually with a pencil or charcoal. uncountable
2. 2
   masturbation by rubbing against another person (as in a crowd) wordnet
3. 3
   An illustration made by means of frottage. countable
4. 4
   The practice of rubbing parts of the body against those of another person for sexual stimulation. uncountable

Verb

1. 1
   To rub, especially to rub onto one surface placed upon another surface that is textured, in order to create a mottled or patterned area on the first surface.
2. 2
   To rub parts of the body against those of another person for sexual stimulation.

Synonyms

All synonyms

caressingfeelingfingeringfrictionfrotteurismhandling

Etymology

From French frottage (“rubbing”), from frotter (“to rub”) + -age (suffix forming nouns).

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.