nuzzle

[ nuhz-uhl ]

/ ˈnʌz əl /

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See synonyms for: nuzzle / nuzzled on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), nuz·zled, nuz·zling.

to burrow or root with the nose, snout, etc., as an animal does: a rabbit nuzzling into the snow.

to thrust the nose, muzzle, etc.: The dog nuzzled up to his master.

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

verb (used with object), nuz·zled, nuz·zling.

to root up with the nose, snout, etc.: training pigs to nuzzle truffles from the ground.

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

to thrust the nose, muzzle, snout, etc., against or into: The horse was nuzzling my pocket for sugar.

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

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

noun

an affectionate embrace or cuddle.

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Origin of nuzzle

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

OTHER WORDS FROM nuzzle

un·nuz·zled, adjective

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

How to use nuzzle in a sentence

A giant silk-screen of Sophia Loren hung in the background; the couple's pug nuzzled at the trio's feet.
Secrets of Online Sex|Jessica Bennett|April 24, 2011|DAILY BEAST
A busy little tug nuzzled up to take us in tow for open sea.
Tramping on Life|Harry Kemp
He led the way as he spoke, leading loosely by the bridle the horse which followed him, and nuzzled thoughtfully at his shoulder.
The Isle of Unrest|Henry Seton Merriman
His head was drawn down through the bars and he nuzzled a soft substance on the cracksman's breast.
The Incendiary|W. A. (William Augustine) Leahy

Far, far above us the monster mountains nuzzled among the clouds till cloud and mountain were hard to tell apart.
The Trail of '98|Robert W. Service
It whinnied in a low tone as it spied Nat's pony, and coming alongside, nuzzled up against it.
The Motor Rangers Through the Sierras|Marvin West

British Dictionary definitions for nuzzle

nuzzle

/ (ˈnʌzəl) /

verb

to push or rub gently against the nose or snout

(intr) to nestle; lie close

(tr) to dig out with the snout

Word Origin for nuzzle

C15: nosele, from nose (n)

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

nuzzle

Origin of nuzzle

OTHER WORDS FROM nuzzle

Words related to nuzzle

How to use nuzzle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nuzzle

Word Origin for nuzzle