nuzzle

American  

[nuhz-uhl] / ˈnʌz əl /

verb (used without object)

nuzzled, nuzzling

1. to burrow or root with the nose, snout, etc., as an animal does.

   a rabbit nuzzling into the snow.

2. to thrust the nose, muzzle, etc..

   The dog nuzzled up to his master.

3. to lie very close to someone or something; cuddle or snuggle up.

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verb (used with object)

nuzzled, nuzzling

1. to root up with the nose, snout, etc..

   training pigs to nuzzle truffles from the ground.

2. to touch or rub with the nose, snout, muzzle, etc.

3. to thrust the nose, muzzle, snout, etc., against or into.

   The horse was nuzzling my pocket for sugar.

4. to thrust (the nose or head), as into something.

5. to lie very close to; cuddle or snuggle up to.

noun

1. an affectionate embrace or cuddle.

nuzzle British  

/ ˈnʌzəl /

verb

1. to push or rub gently against the nose or snout

2. (intr) to nestle; lie close

3. (tr) to dig out with the snout

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Other Word Forms

• unnuzzled adjective

Etymology

Origin of nuzzle

1375–1425; late Middle English noselen to grovel; origin uncertain

Explanation

To nuzzle is to affectionately rub your nose and face against someone (or something). It's hard to get out of bed in the morning when your cat lies down on your chest and nuzzles you. A mother might nuzzle her new baby's head, and a horse will nuzzle a person's hand — hoping for an apple or sugar cube. In the fifteenth century, this word instead meant "to bring the nose to the ground," from the verb nose, "pry or smell with the nose." The current meaning was influenced by words like nestle and the now-obsolete "nursle," meaning "to nurse."

Example Sentences

As soon as the two goats were introduced, Harold showed lots of interest and went over to nuzzle them.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2024

She’s taken time to quickly nuzzle all the dogs before they entered the plane, but this guy is clearly special.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 30, 2023

That soft snout allowed him to nuzzle or sniff actors without injuring them, and gave them a sense of weight and scale to play opposite, whether he was crashing into an ambulance or dancing.

From New York Times • Feb. 24, 2023

Then they stick their beaks below the surface and “chatter” their mouths open and closed, darting their tongues in and out to create suction as they nuzzle the pond’s bottom.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 9, 2023

Clare was just about to nuzzle back into the warmth of her neck, to draw his fluffy tail tighter around them, when his ear caught the sound of an approach.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Related Words

• caress