hug

1 of 2

verb

ˈhəg 

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

(figurative) Jerome looked puzzled, or pretended to. In reality he was hugging himself with delight.

—Lucy Maud Montgomery

2

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

huggable

ˈhə-gə-bəl 

adjective

… whenever you get a chance at a reunion to hug someone who looks huggable, do it.

—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

hug

2 of 2

noun

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

Peggotty was not slow to respond, and ratify the treaty of friendship by giving me one of her best hugs.

—Charles Dickens

Synonyms of hug

Verb

• congratulate

Examples 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

Verb

Inspired by the spring 2026 collection, Taylor wore a figure-hugging gown with a white and gray breastplate that traced the contours of her bust, calling to mind a Greek statue. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026

So far, the trend to hug a billionaire has yet to emerge. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026

Noun

The temperamental Moon hugs vulnerable Chiron, steadying your 2nd House of Resources and your 10th House of Control. —Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2026

While Bassett spoke to media after the match, Rapids forward Darren Yapi interrupted to give Bassett a hug in passing. —Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse hugga to soothe

First Known Use

Verb

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1659, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hug

• bear hug
• hug-me-tight
• hug the shore

Rhymes for hug

• chug
• doug
• drug
• dug
• jug
• lug
• mug
• plug
• pug
• rug
• rugg
• shrug

Kids Definition

hug

verb

ˈhəg 

hugged; hugging

1

: to press tightly especially in the arms : embrace

2

: to stay close to

drives along hugging the curb

hug noun