hugged; hugging; hugs
1
a
transitive + intransitive
: to press (someone) tightly in one's arms especially as a sign of affection
They hugged each other before saying goodbye.
We hugged briefly.
b
transitive
: to hold (something) tightly with the arms
She hugged her knees to her chest.
c
transitive
: to wrap one's arms around (oneself)
She was wearing only a wraparound denim skirt over her black bathing suit, and in the chill of approaching evening was hugging herself.—
John Updike
John Updike(figurative) Jerome looked puzzled, or pretended to. In reality he was hugging himself with delight.—Lucy Maud Montgomery
Lucy Maud Montgomery2
transitive
: to stay close to (something)
a road that hugs the river
a boat hugging the shore
clothes that hug your body's curves [=tight-fitting clothes]
3
transitive
: to hold (something) fast : cherish
… hugged his miseries like a sulky child—John Buchan
John Buchan
huggable
adjective
… whenever you get a chance at a reunion to hug someone who looks huggable, do it.
—Mike Deupree
Mike Deupree
hugger
noun
plural huggers
Senior is restrained, the sort of man you lean close to, to hear. Junior is a hugger and kisser, buoyant, vibrant, colorful.
—Rick Reilly
Rick Reilly
plural hugs
: a close embrace with the arms especially as a sign of affection
She gave me a hug.
hugs and kisses
"He was very, very compassionate. Very loving. He always gave you a hug hello and a hug goodbye."—The Salt Lake Tribune
The Salt Lake TribunePeggotty was not slow to respond, and ratify the treaty of friendship by giving me one of her best hugs.—Charles Dickens
Charles DickensExamples of hug in a Sentence
Verb
We hugged briefly, and then it was time to say goodbye.
I hugged my knees to my chest.
The road hugs the river.
The boat hugged the shore.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
After the Mass, while meeting with dignitaries and world faith leaders, the pope broke protocol to hug his brother.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
Marie Lodi, Allure, 22 May 2025
Ratcliffe gave his head coach a hug and then left the pitch as the last United representative to depart, even behind Leny Yoro, who had been circling the penalty area on his own, unable to look at Tottenham’s trophy lift.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
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Verb
The extra weight is believed to help calm the nervous system, mimicking the feeling of being hugged and promoting a sense of security and relaxation.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
After the Mass, while meeting with dignitaries and world faith leaders, the pope broke protocol to hug his brother.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
Noun
The soft, breathable fabric hugs your hands like a second skin, offering just the right amount of stretch and airflow to keep things cool and comfy.
—Marie Lodi, Allure, 22 May 2025
Ratcliffe gave his head coach a hug and then left the pitch as the last United representative to depart, even behind Leny Yoro, who had been circling the penalty area on his own, unable to look at Tottenham’s trophy lift.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hug. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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