canoodle

verb

ca·​noo·​dle kə-ˈnü-dᵊl 

canoodled; canoodling kə-ˈnü-dliŋ  -ˈnü-dᵊl-iŋ  ; canoodles

intransitive verb

informal

: to engage in amorous embracing, caressing, and kissing : pet, fondle

lovers canoodling in the park

… used to sit in the sun porch in the evening, among the geraniums and the begonias, whispering, holding hands, canoodling.

—Edna O'Brien

… widows in their sixties canoodle and exchange sweet nothings with boys a third of their age.

—Matthew Gwyther

Did you know?

The Foolish History of Canoodle

The origins of canoodle are obscure. Our best guess is that it may come from an English dialect noun of the same spelling meaning "donkey," "fool," or "foolish lover," which itself may be an alteration of the word noodle, meaning "a foolish person." That noodle, in turn, may come from noddle, a word for the head. The guess seems reasonable given that, since its appearance in the language around the mid-19th century, canoodle has been most often used jocularly for playful public displays of affection by couples who are head over heels in love.

Examples of canoodle in a Sentence

Two lovers were canoodling on a park bench.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some hit the carpet, others met up and canoodled inside the party, but quite a few were invited to enjoy good food and hobnobbing with the industry’s who’s who. —Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 3 Mar. 2025

Brett reiterated this during his 2025 interview, adding that McConaughy's mom and the Harrelson's dad definitely hooked up and that their canoodling timeline matches McConaughy's age. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025

The pair kiss in the surf and golden sunlight and canoodle in blankets alongside a beach bonfire, and the absence of audible dialogue is a feature, not a bug. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024

Lennon, angry about Richard Nixon’s re-election and under the influence, began canoodling with a female guest and went off into the next room to engage in noisy intercourse. —Kim Willis, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from English dialect canoodle, noun, donkey, fool, foolish lover

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for canoodle

• boodle
• doodle
• feudal
• noodle
• poodle

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