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
Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Russini resigned from The Athletic earlier this month amid mounting criticism over her relationship with Vrabel, the New England Patriots’ head coach, after being photographed hugging and holding hands at a private resort in Sedona, Arizona.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Elkins stretched his hands behind them, enveloping his kids like a big hug.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hug
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Verb
They were seen hugging at the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico in October 2023, strolling ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas in November 2024 and holding hands at the Grand Prix of Miami in 2025.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Russini resigned from The Athletic earlier this month amid mounting criticism over her relationship with Vrabel, the New England Patriots’ head coach, after being photographed hugging and holding hands at a private resort in Sedona, Arizona.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
But there’s also the pan brioche (Italian brioche bread) with anchovies and butter and puntarelle enveloped in a savory anchovy hug; the agnolotti del plin, dumplings shining in a glossy butter and sage sauce, are not to be missed either.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Elkins stretched his hands behind them, enveloping his kids like a big hug.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hug
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hug. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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