snuggle
Americanverb (used without object)
-
snuggles,
present (3rd person singular)
-
snuggled,
past participle, past
-
snuggling
present participle
verb (used with object)
-
snuggles,
present (3rd person singular)
-
snuggled,
past participle, past
-
snuggling
present participle
noun
verb phrase
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
snugglesimple
-
snugglessimple
-
have snuggledperfect
-
has snuggledperfect
-
am snugglingprogressive
-
are snugglingprogressive
-
is snugglingprogressive
-
have been snugglingperfect progressive
-
has been snugglingperfect progressive
Past
-
snuggledsimple
-
had snuggledperfect
-
was snugglingprogressive
-
were snugglingprogressive
-
had been snugglingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of snuggle
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Lu, who has protuberant light brown eyes, small black ears and a floppy tongue, loves to snuggle with her four-legged foster siblings and stretch out in the sun, according to the contest website.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
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
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
He didn’t come back right away, and I figured he was having a caterpillar dessert and would come snuggle in later, ideally not waking me up in the process.
From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer
Calvacca doesn’t play favorites, she says, but she snuggles Valentina and calls Sonny Mister Handsome.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 31, 2026
She was instantly on our lap, giving us snuggles, and it was the best feeling.
From BBC ● Dec. 24, 2025
This account reposts tons of cute videos—of snuggles, leaps, yawns, and naps.
From Slate ● Dec. 28, 2024
Animal companions give us snuggles, entertain us, get us outside and keep us company.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 8, 2024
Andrecito hugs me and Jaimito snuggles against me, stroking my hair.
From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau
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
And then, just as you’re snuggled up about to fall back asleep because you think, “Maybe we’re all just going to sleep a little longer, they whisper in your ear, ‘Can we get up now?
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 28, 2025
Even a few decades ago, spotting a koala snuggled in a backyard tree was nothing out of the ordinary.
From BBC ● Dec. 29, 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
She snuggled into it, so drowsy that she couldn’t even lift her eyelids... much too drowsy to crawl into her sleeping-sack ...
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
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
"She adored travel and being away, experiencing new places and cultures, yet at the same time, she loved nothing more than snuggling up in her pyjamas with her candles on at home."
From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2025
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
This cuddly monster from the depths is suitable for both brandishing at local hockey games and snuggling with on a cold winter’s night.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 16, 2023
“We’ll take care of each other,” Josie murmured, snuggling into her blankets.
From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
