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

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

A couple of decades ago, the Hollywood Bowl started commissioning a different artist each season to design a throw blanket that’s as good to look at as it is to snuggle under.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2024

I hang up and snuggle into my couch nest with the remote.

From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson

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

The baby and I will do snuggles and I’ll nurse him in bed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 6, 2024

Jumping into her striped pink pajamas, Juliet, a 7-year-old transgender girl, snuggles next to her mom on her bed as they talk about everything from video games, to transition, to life in their Eastside apartment.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 16, 2023

He kisses my forehead and snuggles up against me.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

My husband carried him into the room and placed him on the bed next to me as I snuggled his baby brother in the crook of my arm.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 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

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

She hugged me tightly and I snuggled close.

From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce

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

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

I grinned, trying to picture his big, bad uncle dude snuggling an infant.

From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon

Related Words

• curl up
• huddle