cuddle
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
-
to lie close and snug; nestle.
-
to curl up in going to sleep.
noun
verb
-
to hold (another person or thing) close or (of two people, etc) to hold each other close, as for affection, comfort, or warmth; embrace; hug
-
to curl or snuggle up into a comfortable or warm position
noun
Other Word Forms
- cuddlesome adjective
- cuddly adjective
Etymology
Origin of cuddle
1510–20; perhaps back formation from Middle English cudliche intimate, affectionate, Old English cūthlīc, or from Middle English cuthlechen, Old English cūthlǣcan to make friends with; couth 2, -ly
Explanation
To cuddle is to embrace in a loving, affectionate way. If you're having a terrible day, you probably wish you could just go home, get in bed, and cuddle with your cat. Cuddle might come from the Middle English couth, "known" — after all, you only cuddle with those you know. Or, cuddle may have started as baby talk that caught on. When you cuddle, you give a snuggly hug to make yourself or another person feel loved or comforted. As a noun, cuddle describes the time of the embrace, like having one last cuddle before leaving for a long trip.
Vocabulary lists containing cuddle
Love Letter Words for Valentine's Day
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Comfy Cozy Lingo
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Linden, from Bellshill, later told the court that he had only given the man a cuddle before going back to his own bed.
From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026
“There are a few steps you can take to stay safe during this storm. Consider changing your weekend plans and stay home, cuddle up, watch a movie,” Los Angeles Fire Chief Jaime Moore said.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2025
Against all odds, Kobi pulled through and eight "agonising" days later, they finally got their first cuddle with their son, which felt like a "miracle".
From BBC • Nov. 13, 2025
He is always happy to see me, and he always wants a scratch or a cuddle.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 11, 2025
She longed to curl up with Ess, to cuddle up and inhale the salty, dirty smell of her tangled hair as she slept, pretend that none of this was real.
From "Orphan Island" by Laurel Snyder
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
