What Does a Forehead Kiss Mean? 10+ Reasons Behind This Personal Peck

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Understand the psychology behind this magical and mysterious kiss

Co-authored by Bailey Cho Reviewed by John Keegan

Last Updated: February 29, 2024 Fact Checked

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A forehead kiss is a gentle and personal gesture—but it can be hard to tell what someone means when they give you one. Do they just care about you in a friendly way? Do they like you as more than a friend? Or, are they in love with you? While there are many reasons behind this intimate gesture, there are a lot of factors to consider, including the context of the situation and your relationship to the other person. In this article, we’re going over all the possible meanings behind a forehead kiss (plus, what they symbolize)!

Things You Should Know

A forehead kiss is a heartfelt gesture that shows someone truly cares about you. Depending on the context and your relationship with the other person, it can be platonic or romantic.
If your crush kisses you on the forehead, watch their behavior: if they kiss you in private or after a deep conversation, they might be expressing their romantic feelings toward you.
If your partner or a loved one kisses you on the forehead, it’s usually a sign of love and protection—they want you to feel safe, secure, and supported.

Section 1 of 3:

What does it mean if someone kisses you on the forehead?

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A forehead kiss is a heartfelt gesture that shows they really care about you. It’s another way to express respect and admiration, and it can indicate they feel a deep connection to you. While a forehead kiss is an intimate gesture, it can be romantic or platonic—depending on your relationship with the other person.^{[1]
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- If your crush kisses you on the forehead, watch their body language and consider the context of the situation. For example, if they become touchy or kiss you in private after a deep conversation, it might be their way of admitting their romantic feelings toward you.
- If a loved one gives you a kiss on the forehead, it’s usually a sign of affection or protection (or both). They love you, and they want you to feel safe and secure in their arms.
- If your friend gives you a forehead kiss, it might be their way of expressing their platonic love for you—especially if you’re experiencing a loss or hardship. It's a comforting gesture to let you know that they have your back at all times.

Section 2 of 3:

Romantic Forehead Kiss Meanings

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When someone kisses you on the forehead, it might be their silent way of saying “You’re safe, and I’ve got your back.” They want you to know that you can always count on them, and they're willing to do anything to keep you safe.^{[2]
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While a kiss on the lips indicates sexual attraction, a kiss on the forehead signals emotional intimacy—it’s a powerful expression of trust, vulnerability, and affection. Since they feel connected to you, they’re not afraid to open up and be their most authentic self. They feel safe and secure in your arms, and they hope you feel the same.^{[3]
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If you’ve recently done something kind for them, they might be giving you a forehead kiss to express their gratitude. Maybe you dropped off their lunch at work or helped them with an assignment—regardless of your action, they see you and they don’t take you for granted.^{[4]
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If you recently achieved a goal or received good news at work, your partner might be giving you a kiss to express their support. They want you to know that they’re happy for you and they’re impressed by all of your accomplishments.^{[5]
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When you’re having a deep conversation with a friend, it can be easy for them to go in for a kiss—they’re caught up in the heat of the moment because you opened up to them. Instead of following their impulses, they might give you a forehead kiss to convey their affection in a subtle, respectful way. They want to make sure you can trust them, especially when you’re in a vulnerable position.^{[6]
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They see you as more than a friend. If your friend starts to kiss your forehead out of the blue, it might be a sign that they want to take things to the next level. Instead of making a bold statement and kissing you on the lips, they want to make sure that you’re comfortable with their advances (so they don’t cross your boundaries).^{[7]
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- If you can’t tell if they have feelings for you, read their body language right after they kiss you. Do they blush? Do they have trouble looking you in the eye? It might be a sign that they want you to make the first move.
- If you’re interested in them, take some small risks to determine whether they like you. Make eye contact with them when they’re across the room to see if they return it. Or, ask them for more favors than usual and catch their reaction.
- If you don’t have feelings for them, you can simply say, “I’m sorry, but I just want to be friends.” Or, “I’m flattered, but I don’t see you in a romantic way.”
Sometimes, it’s hard to tell if someone likes you, especially if you’re into them. If you get a forehead kiss at the end of a date, they might be trying to express interest without coming on too strong. Unlike a kiss on the lips, a forehead kiss doesn’t feel as intense or overwhelming.^{[8]
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They love you. A forehead kiss is a gentle and romantic gesture that can also signal pure love. Even if your partner doesn’t say the 3 words aloud, they might feel an overwhelming sense of empathy, care, and respect towards you. A forehead kiss indicates they love you for who you are, and they are willing to do anything to make you happy and improve your relationship.^{[9]
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- To tell if they sincerely love you, reflect on your relationship and their behavior. When someone loves you, they want to be around you as much as possible and help you become the best version of yourself.
Since a forehead kiss isn’t fueled by sexual desire, think of it as a compassionate way to express affection. Your partner wants you to know that they see you as a person and not just a sexual object: they’re captivated by your mind, soul, and spirit—and your appearance is just the cherry on top!^{[10]
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They want to show affection without too much attention. Everyone has different boundaries when it comes to PDA, and a forehead kiss is a subtle form of affection—it’s sweet, family-friendly, but still lets everyone know that you’re taken.
- If you want to spice up your relationship in public (without freaking out your partner), send him a naughty text during the middle of dinner or engage in a flirty game of footsie underneath the table.
If your partner only gives you forehead kisses, it might mean they’ve lost interest in you. Observe their behavior closely and assess the environment of your relationship. Do they withdraw every time you initiate sex? Are they always busy when you try to make plans? If so, bring it up to them so you can work through any issues together.^{[11]
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Section 3 of 3:

Forehead Kiss Symbolism

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Comfort A forehead kiss can be a way of consoling you during tough times. Maybe you experienced a health scare or you recently lost a loved one. Or, maybe you’re just stressed from work. Regardless of your hardship, interpret it as a sign of care and empathy—it’s another way to say, “I’m here for you, and everything’s going to be okay.”
- In Arab cultures, a forehead kiss acknowledges that the other person is grieving.^{[12]
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Whether it’s coming from a friend, family member, or partner, a forehead kiss shows that they care about your well-being. They only want the best for you, and they hope you feel loved and supported—even when times get tough.^{[13]
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Protection Often seen in movies and television, a kiss on the forehead is a common symbol of protection—especially when it comes from an older person. It’s a way to express care and protect someone from any harm or negativity.^{[14]
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- For example, in The Wizard of Oz, the Good Witch of the North kisses Dorothy on the forehead before she goes on a journey to the Emerald City.^{[15]
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If your friend gives you a kiss on the forehead, it might be their way of expressing their platonic love for you—especially if they’re shy or introverted. When they can’t find the words to express their love for you, a forehead kiss says, “You’re my ride or die, and I got your back.”^{[16]
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A forehead kiss is one of the most powerful forms of affection. It’s a silent way of communicating love and admiration for someone, and it lets them know you genuinely care about them.^{[17]
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What Does a Forehead Kiss Mean? 10+ Reasons Behind This Personal Peck

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How do I know if I enjoyed a kiss?

Adeline Yibri

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You should feel your heart pounding and you can't stop smiling. If they aren't a good kisser, just ask if you can teach them. Make sure to make it light and don't bring it up unless they say, "I know I'm a bad kisser", or "Sorry, you're my first kiss". This will increase the romance.

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How do I kiss my girlfriend for the first time?

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See Kiss a Girl for the First Time and related articles.

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How do I act like I need a kiss?

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Make eye contact, then look at their mouth. You could just ask. (It never hurts to ask.) Search wikiHow for "kiss." There are lots of related articles.

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