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definitions

cuddle

[ kuhd-l ]
/ ˈkʌd l /
|
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verb (used with object), cud·dled, cud·dling.

to hold close in an affectionate manner; hug tenderly; fondle.

verb (used without object), cud·dled, cud·dling.

to lie close and snug; nestle.
to curl up in going to sleep.

noun

act of cuddling; hug; embrace.

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RELATED WORDS

caress, snuggle, clasp, nuzzle, fondle, huddle, hug, love, enfold, snug, pet, cosset, bundle, dandle, nestle, burrow, embrace, kiss, touch

Nearby words

  1. cucurbitaceous,
  2. cud,
  3. cuda,
  4. cudahy,
  5. cudbear,
  6. cuddlesome,
  7. cuddly,
  8. cuddy,
  9. cudgel,
  10. cudgel one's brains

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; see couth2, -ly
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cuddle

British Dictionary definitions for cuddle

cuddle

/ (ˈkʌdəl) /

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
(intr foll by up) to curl or snuggle up into a comfortable or warm position

noun

a close embrace, esp when prolonged
Derived Formscuddlesome, adjectivecuddly, adjective

Word Origin for cuddle

C18: of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for cuddle

cuddle

v.

early 16c. (implied in cudlyng), perhaps a variant of obsolete cull, coll "to embrace" (see collar (n.)); or perhaps from Middle English *couthelen, from couth "known," hence "comfortable with." It has a spotty early history and seems to have been a nursery word at first. Related: Cuddled; cuddling.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper