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
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 18 June 2025
Swift, who was spotted in town the night before attending the Stanley Cup Finals with boyfriend Travis Kelce, went room to room, hugging patients, chatting, and taking photos with patients and hospital staff alike.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 16 June 2025
Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2025
Springsteen himself visited the set of the biopic multiple times in fall 2024 and early 2025; he and White were snapped sharing a hug on set, and the legendary rock musician also posed on set with Matthew Anthony Pellicano, who plays Springsteen as a child in the upcoming movie.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
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Verb
As she was cleared of the most serious charges, Read hugged her lawyers — as booming cheers could be heard from the crowd gathered outside.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 18 June 2025
Swift, who was spotted in town the night before attending the Stanley Cup Finals with boyfriend Travis Kelce, went room to room, hugging patients, chatting, and taking photos with patients and hospital staff alike.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 16 June 2025
Noun
Over time, the fabric continued to feel worn, soft, breezy, and so luxurious, like a comforting hug.
—Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2025
Springsteen himself visited the set of the biopic multiple times in fall 2024 and early 2025; he and White were snapped sharing a hug on set, and the legendary rock musician also posed on set with Matthew Anthony Pellicano, who plays Springsteen as a child in the upcoming movie.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 18 June 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 26 Jun. 2025.
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