cuddle

1 of 2

verb

cud·​dle ˈkə-dᵊl 

cuddled; cuddling ˈkəd-liŋ 

ˈkə-dᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

: to hold close for warmth or comfort or in affection

He cuddled the puppy.

intransitive verb

: to lie close or snug : nestle, snuggle

… dewy glens where couples cuddle on blankets …

—Bob Sipchen

cuddler

ˈkəd-lər 

ˈkə-dᵊl-ər

noun

cuddle

2 of 2

noun

: a close embrace

Synonyms

Verb

• nestle
• nuzzle
• snoozle [chiefly dialect]
• snuggle

Examples of cuddle in a Sentence

Verb

Let's cuddle by the fire.

kittens cuddling in a basket

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Frey also shared solo shots of her son, wearing a tan beanie and cuddling a teddy bear. —Emma Aerin Becker, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2024

Science also shows that touching your nipples can spark the release of oxytocin—the feel-good hormone often linked with cuddling and hugging—from a region of the brain called the hypothalamus, Dr. Cobb says. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 3 Sep. 2024

Noun

Let my cranky cat out of the basement and give him some cuddles, then tidy up the kitchen and wash some dishes. —R29 Team, refinery29.com, 2 Sep. 2024

What to know: Brisbane’s Lone Pine sanctuary has offered cuddles with koalas to countless visitors, including to Taylor Swift in 2009. —Jamie Ross, Washington Post, 8 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1520, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1825, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cuddle

verb

cud·​dle

ˈkəd-ᵊl

cuddled; cuddling

ˈkəd-liŋ,

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to hold close for warmth or comfort or in affection

2

: to lie close : nestle, snuggle

cuddle noun

cuddly

ˈkəd-lē

-ᵊl-ē

adjective