snuggle

American  

[snuhg-uhl] / ˈsnʌg əl /

verb (used without object)

• snuggles,
  present (3rd person singular)
• snuggled,
  past participle,  past
• snuggling
  present participle

1. to lie or press closely, as for comfort or from affection; nestle; cuddle.

   When I wake up early, the children will often come and snuggle beside me when they hear me moving.

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verb (used with object)

• snuggles,
  present (3rd person singular)
• snuggled,
  past participle,  past
• snuggling
  present participle

1. to draw or press closely against, as for comfort or from affection.

   She loves spending time snuggling her three dogs, hiking, and traveling.

noun

1. the act of lying or pressing closely against someone or something for comfort or from affection.

   We're having our regular evening snuggle with the cat.

verb phrase

1. snuggle up

   1. to sit or lie comfortably, warmly, and cozily, especially while holding or cuddling something or someone.

      The holidays are the perfect time to snuggle up with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and a good film.

   2. to become friendly with, especially to further one's own ends; cozy up.

      The CEO is snuggling up to the mayor, hoping to get support from the city for this new project.

snuggle British  

/ ˈsnʌɡəl /

verb

1. (usually intr; usually foll by down, up, or together) to nestle into or draw close to (somebody or something) for warmth or from affection

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noun

1. the act of snuggling

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

• snuggling
  present
• snuggled
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• snuggle
  simple
• snuggles
  simple
• have snuggled
  perfect
• has snuggled
  perfect
• am snuggling
  progressive
• are snuggling
  progressive
• is snuggling
  progressive
• have been snuggling
  perfect progressive
• has been snuggling
  perfect progressive

Past

• snuggled
  simple
• had snuggled
  perfect
• was snuggling
  progressive
• were snuggling
  progressive
• had been snuggling
  perfect progressive

Future

• will snuggle
  simple
• will have snuggled
  perfect
• will be snuggling
  progressive
• will have been snuggling
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of snuggle

First recorded in 1680–90; snug + -le

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Explanation

To snuggle is to cuddle with someone. Snuggling is a little like hugging, and it often takes place in bed. This is a cutesy word for cute behavior: nestling or nuzzling someone. People snuggle to warm each other up or to be affectionate. People dating or married often snuggle. Close friends or siblings might snuggle, and people definitely snuggle with their pets. Snuggling is only likely to happen with people who are close; if you try to snuggle a stranger, you'll probably get arrested.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

snuggle snuggles snuggled snuggling

Some responsibilities she’ll never give up: “The time to talk about our day, snuggle in bed, read books, that’s really special to me.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

But I just snuggle and watch with him.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026

Adjacent to that may be the most enjoyed room in the house: a comfortable family room where everyone can snuggle up and watch TV.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2025

This is because we snuggle with and sleep in bed with our cats.

From Salon ● Feb. 12, 2025

I had no momma to snuggle up to and tell my problems.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

Calvacca doesn’t play favorites, she says, but she snuggles Valentina and calls Sonny Mister Handsome.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 31, 2026

This account reposts tons of cute videos—of snuggles, leaps, yawns, and naps.

From Slate ● Dec. 28, 2024

The baby and I will do snuggles and I’ll nurse him in bed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 6, 2024

She said he loved "kisses and snuggles" and was "precious" and "innocent".

From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2024

After a few seconds, she lets out a shaky breath and snuggles me back.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

Small ginger cat Marigold snuggled with her for hours.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026

That afternoon, the boy snuggled with Lisa after his nap and recited “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” to her as he turned the pages of the children’s book.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 14, 2025

Gus Walz rose from his seat snuggled in between his family who were all in tears and said, beaming at the vice president candidate, “That’s my dad.”

From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2024

Beau snuggled next to her as she worked, slept in her bed and even tagged along with her when Pereira would leave the house.

From Seattle Times ● May 24, 2024

She hugged me tightly and I snuggled close.

From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce

“I’m the best boy ever! I love to play. I love snuggling and I’ll let you put silly costumes on me,” said the caption on the Feb. 14, 2022 Instagram post.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 30, 2026

My holiday season officially starts on the night before Thanksgiving, snuggling under a thick throw while sharing a fireside catch-up with my best friend.

From Salon ● Dec. 18, 2025

"She adored travel and being away, experiencing new places and cultures, yet at the same time, she loved nothing more than snuggling up in her pyjamas with her candles on at home."

From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2025

Both practices are concerned with defiance of worldly cares, with the tension between being a responsible member of society and snuggling beneath layers of blankets.

From New York Times ● Feb. 17, 2024

“Thanks for your help today. You ended up with the best deal of all. Just think of all the riding and baby snuggling you’ll get.”

From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon

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Related Words

• curl up
• huddle

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