SKINSHIP

What Does Skinship Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

Skinship means "Intimate Non-Sexual Contact."

More Observations...

Skinship is a term often used in East Asian cultures, notably in South Korea and Japan, to describe a close, non-sexual physical intimacy or touch interaction between people. Skinship can encompass activities like hugging, holding hands, or casually touching someone on the arm or shoulder during conversation. It is thought to be a portmanteau of the words "skin" and either "friendship" or "kinship." Skinship can signify a comfortable or close relationship between friends, family members, or sometimes even acquaintances. It's seen as a way to express trust, comfort, or affection in a platonic way. Through these tactile interactions, individuals express a sense of closeness or warmth toward one another, fostering stronger interpersonal bonds. The practice of skinship underscores the important role of physical touch in human relationships, transcending verbal communication to convey feelings of care, trust, and companionship.

Image for Skinship

When I write Skinship, I mean this:

"Intimate Non-Sexual Contact"

Summary of Key Points

"Intimate Non-Sexual Contact" is, by far, the most common meaning for Skinship when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

Skinship
Definition:	Intimate Non-Sexual Contact
Type:	Word
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

An Academic Look at Skinship

As it is formed by merging two words into one, skinship is a portmanteau word. It is a combination of the words skin and friendship (or kinship).