hug

[ huhg ]

/ hʌg /

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See synonyms for: hug / hugged / hugging on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), hugged, hug·ging.

to clasp tightly in the arms, especially with affection; embrace.

to cling firmly or fondly to; cherish: to hug an opinion.

to keep close to, as in sailing, walking, or in moving along or alongside of: to hug the shore; to hug the road.

verb (used without object), hugged, hug·ging.

to cling together; lie close.

noun

a tight clasp with the arms; embrace.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of hug

1560–70; perhaps <Old Norse hugga to soothe, console; akin to Old English hogian to care for

OTHER WORDS FROM hug

hugger, nounhug·ging·ly, adverbun·hugged, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use hug in a sentence

Yet it’s the only bird who engages in group hugs and shuffles en masse from one spot to another, just like Mary’s newsroom gang.
Three love stories about birds that will delight your heart|Laura Erickson|November 6, 2020|Popular-Science
In the final episode of the ’70s sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show, when the characters make their tearful farewell, they join in a group hug.
Three love stories about birds that will delight your heart|Laura Erickson|November 6, 2020|Popular-Science
On his rounds, there were times that the best Slotten could do was to give comfort, or a hug, or to keep vigil.
A devastating reminder of AIDS crisis|Terri Schlichenmeyer|October 31, 2020|Washington Blade
When the mission team got the signal that the spacecraft had finished its job and retreated to a safe distance from Bennu, team members pumped their arms in the air, cheered and sent each other socially distant high-fives and hugs.
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx survived its risky mission to grab a piece of an asteroid|Lisa Grossman|October 21, 2020|Science News

He wraps Walker in a bear hug, but not before Walker launches his Discman at Bryant’s head.
Kobe Bryant Punched A Teammate Over $100, And It Wasn’t Shaq|Jeff Pearlman|September 25, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
With help, he got to his feet, and when she hugged him he lifted his arms slightly as if to return the hug.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ali walked up and hugged Gil, and the pair discussed music and racism and current events before a rapt audience.
‘The Prince of Chocolate City’: When Gil Scott-Heron Became A Music Icon|Marcus Baram|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yet I was hugged, inundated with compliments, and told how strong I was for being on the receiving end.
My ‘Kink’ Nightmare: James Franco’s BDSM Porn Documentary ‘Kink’ Only Tells Part of the Story|Aurora Snow|August 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We felt strong and empowered and hugged each other in celebration and recognition of our emotional and physical accomplishments.
Motherless Daughters and Parentless Parents Trek to the Andes to Aid Orphans|Allison Gilbert|August 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Everyone hugged and kissed everyone else and more tears were shed.
Bogie & Bacall: A Hollywood Romance for the Ages|Marlow Stern|August 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She hugged him, wheel and all, and began turning over the rubbish with great delight.
The Box-Car Children|Gertrude Chandler Warner
He locked his arms tightly around the animals body and hugged her neck with his legs, so that she could not bite him.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
Bobby Hargrew started the cheering; but it was Laura who reached Jess first and hugged her tight.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
The gratification of rummaging false Val's desk was an ample compensation; and the countess-dowager hugged herself with delight.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
Then, at Cordelia's amazed look of shocked distress, she hugged her spasmodically.
The Sunbridge Girls at Six Star Ranch|Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman) Porter

British Dictionary definitions for hug

hug

/ (hʌɡ) /

verb hugs, hugging or hugged (mainly tr)

(also intr) to clasp (another person or thing) tightly or (of two people) to cling close together; embrace

to keep close to a shore, kerb, etc

to cling to (beliefs, etc); cherish

to congratulate (oneself); be delighted with (oneself)

noun

a tight or fond embrace

Derived forms of hug

huggable, adjectivehugger, noun

Word Origin for hug

C16: probably of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse hugga to comfort, Old English hogian to take care of

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