Foreplay

Foreplay is a set of emotionally and physically intimate acts between one or more people meant to create sexual arousal and desire for sexual activity.^[1] Although foreplay is typically understood as physical sexual activity, nonphysical activities, such as mental or verbal acts, may in some contexts be foreplay.^[1] This is typically the reason why foreplay tends to be an ambiguous term and means different things to different people. It can consist of various sexual practices such as kissing, sexual touching, removing clothes, oral sex, manual sex, sexual games, and role playing.^[1]

Foreplay is not only about initiating sexual activity but is fundamentally centered on enhancing pleasure for all participants. It serves as a critical phase in sexual encounters that heightens emotional intimacy and physical pleasure, making the sexual experience more fulfilling and satisfying.^[2]

^ ^a ^b ^c Lehmiller, Justin J. (2017-10-12). The psychology of human sexuality (Second ed.). Hoboken, NJ. ISBN 9781119164708. OCLC 992580729.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^ Laan, Ellen T. M.; Klein, Verena; Werner, Marlene A.; van Lunsen, Rik H. W.; Janssen, Erick (2021-10-02). "In Pursuit of Pleasure: A Biopsychosocial Perspective on Sexual Pleasure and Gender". International Journal of Sexual Health. 33 (4): 516–536. doi:10.1080/19317611.2021.1965689. ISSN 1931-7611. PMC 10903695.

[Lehmiller-1] Lehmiller, Justin J. (2017-10-12). The psychology of human sexuality (Second ed.). Hoboken, NJ. ISBN 9781119164708. OCLC 992580729.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

[2] Laan, Ellen T. M.; Klein, Verena; Werner, Marlene A.; van Lunsen, Rik H. W.; Janssen, Erick (2021-10-02). "In Pursuit of Pleasure: A Biopsychosocial Perspective on Sexual Pleasure and Gender". International Journal of Sexual Health. 33 (4): 516–536. doi:10.1080/19317611.2021.1965689. ISSN 1931-7611. PMC 10903695.

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