hug

hug

verb \ˈhəg\

huggedhug·ging

Definition of HUG

transitive verb

1

: to press tightly especially in the arms

2

a : congratulate b : to hold fast : cherish <hugged his miseries like a sulky child — John Buchan>

3

: to stay close to <the road hugs the river>

— hug noun

— hug·ga·ble \ˈhə-gə-bəl\ adjective

— hug·ger noun

Examples of HUG

1. We hugged briefly, and then it was time to say goodbye.
2. I hugged my knees to my chest.
3. The road hugs the river.
4. The boat hugged the shore.

Origin of HUG

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse hugga to soothe

First Known Use: 1567

Related to HUG

Synonyms: compliment, felicitate, congratulate

Related Words: applaud, cheer, commend, hail, salute; extol (also extoll), glorify, laud, praise

Near Antonyms: bad-mouth, belittle, cry down, decry, deprecate, depreciate, diminish, discount, disparage, minimize, put down, write off; jeer, mock, ridicule, taunt, tease

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with HUG

bug, chug, drug, dug, fug, jug, lug, mug, plug, pug, rug, shrug, slug, smug, snug, thug, trug, tug, vug