nestle

verb

nes·​tle ˈne-səl 

nestled; nestling ˈne-s(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

archaic : nest sense 1

2

: to settle snugly or comfortably

3

: to lie in an inconspicuous or sheltered manner

transitive verb

1

: to settle, shelter, or house in or as if in a nest

… the children were nestled all snug in their beds …

—Clement Moore

2

: to press closely and affectionately

nestles a kitten in her arms

nestler

ˈne-s(ə-)lər 

noun

Synonyms of nestle

• snuggle
• cuddle
• nuzzle

Examples of nestle in a Sentence

He nestled his head against his mother's shoulder.

She carefully nestled the hamster into its cage.

The fly ball nestled into the outfielder's glove.

Recent Examples on the Web

The family-friendly community pool is nestled against a hill above the historic downtown and marina. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 28 May 2026

Asking $110 million, the estate is nestled within the exclusive Sunset Islands enclave. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 May 2026

The most populous stateside urban center in the Pacific Northwest is nestled between the sea and massive Lake Washington, with mountain ranges to the east and west. —Harry Cheadle, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 May 2026

The secret location chosen was located roughly 40km northeast of Moscow, nestled within a thick evergreen forest, and became the main training facility and home to Russia’s cosmonauts. —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English nestlian, from nest

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for nestle

• cresol
• decile
• pestle
• sessile
• trestle
• vessel
• wessel
• wrestle
• subsessile

Kids Definition

nestle

verb

nes·​tle ˈnes-əl 

nestled; nestling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to lie close and snug : cuddle

2

: to settle as if in a nest

nestler

-(ə-)lər 

noun