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

Etymology

Origin of snuggle

First recorded in 1680–90; snug + -le

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

It was hard for me to play that part and to not just snuggle up to them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 15, 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

At least Emma could snuggle close; she could hold on tight.

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Teo wriggles down into the warmth of the duvet and snuggles into his mother.

From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026

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

And it’s where my current boyfriend snuggles with me on the couch as we browse Zillow listings for the next place I can call home.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2022

I know this because as soon as the anthem finishes she snuggles up against me and falls asleep.

From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

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

And then, just as you’re snuggled up about to fall back asleep because you think, “Maybe we’re all just going to sleep a little longer, they whisper in your ear, ‘Can we get up now?

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 28, 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

“He just loves people and is always happy when snuggled next to someone on the sofa,” said Dr Williams.

From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2024

The girl laughed softly and snuggled against Styx.

From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon

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

Miss Oz recommends drawing yourself a hot bath, lighting candles and snuggling under a blanket.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2025

The cat stayed with the family until Saturday, snuggling and playing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2024

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

On chilly mornings, I would curl up close to Mom, snuggling beneath her cotton wrap while the pastor led us in prayer, and Deborah would sleep in Mom’s lap.

From "How Dare the Sun Rise" by Sandra Uwiringiyimana

Related Words

• curl up
• huddle