cuddle
nounEtymology
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.
Definitions
An intimate physical embrace, typically while lying (or sitting)
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).
- I'm so impatient / I can't stand the wait / When will I get my cuddle?
An affectionate embrace, a hug, such as is given to family members and close friends…
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).
- Give me a cuddle, Paul; it'll cheer you up.
To lie together snugly (with someone), in an intimate physical embrace
To lie together snugly (with someone), in an intimate physical embrace; to snuggle.
- The young lovers cuddled on the couch.
›+ 3 more definitionsshow fewer
To embrace (someone) affectionately
To embrace (someone) affectionately; to hug (someone) closely.
To cradle (e.g. a baby) in one's arms so as to give comfort, warmth.
- She cuddled the infant before bedtime.
- I'm cold; can you roll over here and cuddle me, honey?
To lie close or snug
To lie close or snug; to crouch; to nestle.
- She cuddles low behind the brake; / Nor would she stay, nor dares she fly.
The neighborhood
Vish — recursive loop
No curated loop yet for cuddle. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.
sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA