cuddle

1 of 2

verb

cud·​dle ˈkə-dᵊl How to pronounce cuddle (audio)
cuddled; cuddling ˈkəd-liŋ How to pronounce cuddle (audio)
ˈkə-dᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

: to hold close for warmth or comfort or in affection
He cuddled the puppy.

intransitive verb

: to lie close or snug : nestle, snuggle
… dewy glens where couples cuddle on blankets …Bob Sipchen
cuddler
ˈkəd-lər How to pronounce cuddle (audio)
ˈkə-dᵊl-ər
noun

cuddle

2 of 2

noun

: a close embrace

Examples of cuddle in a Sentence

Verb Let's cuddle by the fire. kittens cuddling in a basket
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
In the next picture, Remy lay cuddling with her dad while on the boat. Angel Saunders, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024 Enjoy expert tarot card readings, spooky spirits and snacks, shop local artisans and cuddle with feline friends from Stray Animal Adoptions. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 20 Oct. 2024
Noun
Some commenters on a Facebook post that went viral are outraged at a curfew on cuddles, while others marvel at an airport still having a free drop-off area at all, given the general rise in fees and fines. Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 19 Oct. 2024 When the puppies are out for walks on campus, crowds gather, phone cameras flash, and students drop to the ground for a hug or a cuddle. Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cuddle 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cuddle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1520, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cuddle was in 1520

Dictionary Entries Near cuddle

Cite this Entry

“Cuddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cuddle. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

cuddle

verb
cud·​dle
ˈkəd-ᵊl
cuddled; cuddling
ˈkəd-liŋ,
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to hold close for warmth or comfort or in affection
2
: to lie close : nestle, snuggle
cuddle noun
cuddly
ˈkəd-lē
-ᵊl-ē
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on cuddle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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