huddle

American  

[huhd-l] / ˈhʌd 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.

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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 British  

/ 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 )

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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

huddle Idioms  

1. see go into a huddle.

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of huddle

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

Example Sentences

Two baby otter cubs have been rescued after they were found huddling for warmth in a car engine in North Ayrshire.

From BBC

Petrosian’s first appearance at the glorified barn that is serving as the Olympic practice rink drew a huddled crowd of reporters, eager to see Tutberidze’s latest student in person.

From The Wall Street Journal

He half-expected Katherine to follow him out—she was his sister, after all, not Chip’s friend—but when he glanced back, they’d both turned around to huddle over the computer together.

From Literature

She spoke quietly, and the crew huddled nearer, caught in the net of her words.

From Literature

When I arrive home, panting and sweating, Dad and Aunt Melissa are huddled around a computer at the kitchen table.

From Literature

Related Words

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