huddle

[huhd-l]

verb (used without object)

huddled, huddling 

1. to gather or crowd together in a close mass.

2. to crouch, curl up, or draw oneself together.

3. Football.,  to get together in a huddle.

4. to confer or consult; meet to discuss, exchange ideas, or make a decision.

verb (used with object)

huddled, huddling 

1. to heap or crowd together closely.

2. to draw (oneself ) closely together, as in crouching; nestle (often followed byup ).

3. Chiefly British.,  to do hastily and carelessly (often followed by up, over, ortogether ).

4. to put on (clothes) with careless haste (often followed byon ).

noun

1. a closely gathered group, mass, or heap; bunch.

2. Football.,  a gathering of the offensive team in a close circle or line behind the line of scrimmage for instructions, signals, etc., from the team captain or quarterback, usually held before each offensive play.

3. a conference, or consultation, especially a private meeting to discuss serious matters.

   The labor representatives have been in a huddle for two hours.

4. confusion or disorder.

huddle

/ ˈhʌdəl /

noun

1. a heaped or crowded mass of people or things

2. informal,  a private or impromptu conference (esp in the phrase go into a huddle )

verb

1. to crowd or cause to crowd or nestle closely together

2. (often foll by up) to draw or hunch (oneself), as through cold

3. informal,  (intr) to meet and confer privately

4. (tr) to do (something) in a careless way

5. rare,  (tr) to put on (clothes) hurriedly

Other Word Forms

• huddler noun
• huddlingly adverb
• unhuddle verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of huddle¹

1570–80; hud- (weak grade of root found in hide ¹ ) + -le; replacing Middle English hoder, equivalent to hod- (variant hud- ) + -er -er ⁶

Word History and Origins

Origin of huddle¹

C16: of uncertain origin; compare Middle English hoderen to wrap up

Idioms and Phrases

see go into a huddle.

Example Sentences

The three daughters and three sons huddled together with their arms wrapped around each other as several of them cried while speaking to the judge.

From BBC

One of the photos shows how close the Pelicot family used to be: sitting on a small bench in court, huddled together as one, waiting for the proceedings to begin.

From BBC

“To be in that team huddle, to wear the jersey again, that is where my head has been for the last probably five weeks.”

From Los Angeles Times

Is this the Statue of Liberty, turning her back at last on the huddled masses she once welcomed?

From Los Angeles Times

Nicholas Moss KC, counsel to the inquiry, said in his statement to police Mr Poland described seeing "a massed huddle of children stumble and run in a panicked hurry".

From BBC

Related Words

• cluster 
• confer 
• consult 
• converge 
• crouch 
• cuddle 
• curl up 
• gather 
• snuggle