In
human sexual behavior,
foreplay is a set of
emotionally and
physically intimate acts between two or more people meant to create
sexual arousal and
desire for sexual activity. Either or any of the
sexual partners may indicate sexual interest to initiate foreplay, and the initiator may not be the active partner during the sexual activity. Foreplay stimulates both partners' sexuality, lowers
inhibitions and increases emotional intimacy between partners, and implies a certain level of confidence and trust between the partners. In
animal sexual behavior, the loose equivalent is sometimes termed 'precoital activity'.