cuddle

Meaning

Noun

1. (US) An intimate physical embrace, typically while lying (or sitting): a snuggle, an instance of lying together snugly, as one might with a partner (more intimate than a hug, and typically of longer duration).
2. (UK) An affectionate embrace, a hug, such as is given to family members and close friends (less intimate than a snuggle, and typically of shorter duration).

Verb

1. (US, intransitive, transitive) To lie together snugly (with someone), in an intimate physical embrace; to snuggle.
2. (UK, intransitive, transitive) To embrace (someone) affectionately; to hug (someone) closely.
3. (transitive) To cradle (e.g. a baby) in one's arms so as to give comfort, warmth.
4. To lie close or snug; to crouch; to nestle.

Synonyms

embrace

hug

snuggle

caress

nestle

nuzzle

fondle

pet

stroke

enfold

clasp

draw close

cling to

chuck

dandle

grasp

hold

huddle

kiss

😗

nest

press

rock

🪨

smooch

snog

soothe

bear hug

canoodle

squeeze in

huddle closely

bosom

snuggle up

caressing

cherish

close to

cluster

comfort

cower

cringe

crouch

cuddling

embracing

encircle

flick

fondling

grab

neck

nudge

nurse

petting

pregnant

Translations

câliner

kuscheln

caresser

coccolare

knuddeln

cajoler

knuffelen

carícia

coccola

acariciar

câlin

schmusen

liebkosen

hätscheln

vezzeggiare

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈkʌd.l̩/

Etymology

Cognate with Middle Dutch: kudden

In summary

Origin uncertain, but probably from a frequentative form of Middle English *cudden, cuththen, keththen (“to embrace”), a variant of cuthen, kuthen, kithen (“to be familiar with, make known”), from Middle English cuth, couth (“known, familiar”), equivalent to couth + -le. Cognate with Middle Dutch kudden (“to come together, flock together”). More at couth.