snuggle

American  

[snuhg-uhl] / ˈsnʌg əl /

verb (used without object)

snuggles, present (3rd person singular) snuggled, past participle, past snuggling present participle

1. to lie or press closely, as for comfort or from affection; nestle; cuddle.

   When I wake up early, the children will often come and snuggle beside me when they hear me moving.

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verb (used with object)

snuggles, present (3rd person singular) snuggled, past participle, past snuggling present participle

1. to draw or press closely against, as for comfort or from affection.

   She loves spending time snuggling her three dogs, hiking, and traveling.

noun

1. the act of lying or pressing closely against someone or something for comfort or from affection.

   We're having our regular evening snuggle with the cat.

verb phrase

1. snuggle up

   1. to sit or lie comfortably, warmly, and cozily, especially while holding or cuddling something or someone.

      The holidays are the perfect time to snuggle up with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and a good film.

   2. to become friendly with, especially to further one's own ends; cozy up.

      The CEO is snuggling up to the mayor, hoping to get support from the city for this new project.

snuggle British  

/ ˈsnʌɡəl /

verb

1. (usually intr; usually foll by down, up, or together) to nestle into or draw close to (somebody or something) for warmth or from affection

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noun

1. the act of snuggling

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

• snuggling
  present
• snuggled
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• snuggle
  simple
• snuggles
  simple
• have snuggled
  perfect
• has snuggled
  perfect
• am snuggling
  progressive
• are snuggling
  progressive
• is snuggling
  progressive
• have been snuggling
  perfect progressive
• has been snuggling
  perfect progressive

Past

• snuggled
  simple
• had snuggled
  perfect
• was snuggling
  progressive
• were snuggling
  progressive
• had been snuggling
  perfect progressive

Future

• will snuggle
  simple
• will have snuggled
  perfect
• will be snuggling
  progressive
• will have been snuggling
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of snuggle

First recorded in 1680–90; snug + -le

Explanation

To snuggle is to cuddle with someone. Snuggling is a little like hugging, and it often takes place in bed. This is a cutesy word for cute behavior: nestling or nuzzling someone. People snuggle to warm each other up or to be affectionate. People dating or married often snuggle. Close friends or siblings might snuggle, and people definitely snuggle with their pets. Snuggling is only likely to happen with people who are close; if you try to snuggle a stranger, you'll probably get arrested.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

snuggle snuggles snuggled snuggling

Some responsibilities she’ll never give up: “The time to talk about our day, snuggle in bed, read books, that’s really special to me.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

But I just snuggle and watch with him.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026

Adjacent to that may be the most enjoyed room in the house: a comfortable family room where everyone can snuggle up and watch TV.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2025

This is because we snuggle with and sleep in bed with our cats.

From Salon ● Feb. 12, 2025

I wonder though if she only sees me as her baby girl who used to snuggle up with her until I fell asleep.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

Teo wriggles down into the warmth of the duvet and snuggles into his mother.

From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026

Calvacca doesn’t play favorites, she says, but she snuggles Valentina and calls Sonny Mister Handsome.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 31, 2026

This account reposts tons of cute videos—of snuggles, leaps, yawns, and naps.

From Slate ● Dec. 28, 2024

And it’s where my current boyfriend snuggles with me on the couch as we browse Zillow listings for the next place I can call home.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2022

She lifts up Grandma’s quilt and snuggles in next to me.

From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper

That afternoon, the boy snuggled with Lisa after his nap and recited “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” to her as he turned the pages of the children’s book.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 14, 2025

After she was reunited with her brother, Churro, the pair settled down and snuggled up straight away, Mr Dorrell said.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2024

Gus Walz rose from his seat snuggled in between his family who were all in tears and said, beaming at the vice president candidate, “That’s my dad.”

From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2024

Beau snuggled next to her as she worked, slept in her bed and even tagged along with her when Pereira would leave the house.

From Seattle Times ● May 24, 2024

The picture had gone along with the best essay in the class, about how great it was to read snuggled up in bed, in the glow of a bedside lamp.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

My holiday season officially starts on the night before Thanksgiving, snuggling under a thick throw while sharing a fireside catch-up with my best friend.

From Salon ● Dec. 18, 2025

"There's nothing she likes more than either cuddling with us on the couch, or snuggling in her bed."

From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2024

Before examining more deeply the risks that the leagues face from snuggling with the gambling companies, let’s take a quick march through history.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 2, 2024

Both practices are concerned with defiance of worldly cares, with the tension between being a responsible member of society and snuggling beneath layers of blankets.

From New York Times ● Feb. 17, 2024

Ella loved snuggling up on her father because he was always warm, carrying heat like he'd swallowed the sun.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• curl up
• huddle