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
Troy Onyango, Time, 24 July 2025
In this sweet, candid moment, Lopez hugs her babies while backstage on the Marry Me set.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 24 July 2025
Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 24 July 2025
The great thing about Wednesday is she’s got the bandwidth of an AM radio — in season one, just a hug could be emotional.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
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Verb
Mothers crying out loud for their children, and fathers hugging their children close to their chests.
—Troy Onyango, Time, 24 July 2025
In this sweet, candid moment, Lopez hugs her babies while backstage on the Marry Me set.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 24 July 2025
Noun
The two agreed to end things, sharing a sad hug before Carrie took comfort in a round of drinks with her gal pals.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 24 July 2025
The great thing about Wednesday is she’s got the bandwidth of an AM radio — in season one, just a hug could be emotional.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hug. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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