snug

American  

[snuhg] / snʌg /

adjective

snugger, snuggest

1. warmly comfortable or cozy, as a place, accommodations, etc..

   a snug little house.

2. fitting closely, as a garment.

   a snug jacket.

3. more or less compact or limited in size, and sheltered or warm.

   a snug harbor.

4. trim, neat, or compactly arranged, as a ship or its parts.

   Synonyms:

   orderly, ordered, tidy

5. comfortably circumstanced, as persons.

6. pleasant or agreeable, especially in a small, exclusive way.

   a snug coterie of writers.

   Synonyms:

   cozy, intimate

7. enabling one to live in comfort.

   a snug fortune.

8. secret; concealed; well-hidden.

   a snug hideout.

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verb (used without object)

snugged, snugging

1. to lie closely or comfortably; nestle.

   Synonyms:

   snuggle, cuddle

verb (used with object)

snugged, snugging

1. to make snug.

   Synonyms:

   tidy, arrange, settle

2. Nautical. to prepare for a storm by taking in sail, lashing deck gear, etc. (usually followed bydown ).

   Synonyms:

   secure

adverb

1. in a snug manner.

   The shirt fit snug around the neck.

noun

1. British. a small, secluded room in a tavern, as for private parties.

snug British  

/ snʌɡ /

adjective

1. comfortably warm and well-protected; cosy

   the children were snug in bed during the blizzard

2. small but comfortable

   a snug cottage

3. well-ordered; compact

   a snug boat

4. sheltered and secure

   a snug anchorage

5. fitting closely and comfortably

6. offering safe concealment

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noun

1. (in Britain and Ireland) one of the bars in certain pubs, offering intimate seating for only a few persons

2. engineering a small peg under the head of a bolt engaging with a slot in the bolted component to prevent the bolt turning when the nut is tightened

verb

1. to make or become comfortable and warm

2. (tr) nautical to make (a vessel) ready for a storm by lashing down gear

Other Word Forms

• snugly
  adverb
• snugness
  noun
• unsnug
  adjective
• unsnugness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of snug

First recorded in 1575–85; perhaps from Old Norse snøggr “short-haired”; cognate with Swedish snygg “neat”

Explanation

You may have noticed your pants getting a little snug during the holiday season. That could mean they’re just extra comfortable or it could be another way of saying they're feeling a little tight. Snug describes something that's comfortable and cozy. During a snowstorm you may take shelter in your snug cottage in front of the fireplace. When talking about clothing, snug means fitting tightly. Clothing may be snug on purpose, like a bathing suit, or it may be snug because it’s in fact too small. If you’re “snug as a bug in a rug,” you’re as cozy as can be, or metaphorically speaking, in a very comfortable position in life.

Example Sentences

Despite the beacon, only Hanoi’s cà phê cognoscenti seek out this snug shop furnished with four short tables and a small counter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

In a baking pan, cook a snug bed of sliced potatoes in a little water to get a head start on tenderizing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

Stafford said he would wear a snug, warming layer under his uniform that he first used with the Lions.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 2026

Use a flexible tape measure and wrap it around the narrowest part of your neck, keeping the tape snug but not tight.

From Science Daily • Oct. 20, 2025

They live in a snug green bungalow in Oakland’s Glenview district, about a mile from Oakland High School.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater

Related Words

• comfortable
• comfy
• cushy
• neat
• tight