verb / noun
cuddle
KUD-ul/ˈkʌdl/
An affectionate embrace for warmth or comfort.
The couple cuddles closely on the sofa with their cheeks touching.
Etymology
Cuddle has an uncertain origin and appears to have begun as a dialectal or nursery word. Its early meanings included embracing for warmth and lying snugly together.
In context
she is very affectionate and when we’re together we cuddle all the time. So I can understand why she would need that human contact, a human touch.
More examples
- She gave the child a cuddle.
- They cuddled beneath a blanket.
- The kittens are cuddling together.
Forms
cuddle · cuddles · cuddled · cuddling
cuddly adjective — pleasant to hold closely
Similar words
- hug
- Usually a shorter squeeze or embrace.
- snuggle
- Emphasizes settling close for comfort and warmth.