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
Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2025
The focus was on the shoulders and on the waist, with sculptured and body-hugging dresses, midi pencil skirts and suits.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2025
Katie Mannion, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Amid a heavy uniformed law enforcement presence later Wednesday morning, children in dark green uniforms trickled out of the school with adults, giving lingering hugs and wiping away tears.
—Mark Vancleave, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
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Verb
Travis Kelce proceeded to hug Pinto and then chugged a beer onstage before receiving the keepsake.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2025
The focus was on the shoulders and on the waist, with sculptured and body-hugging dresses, midi pencil skirts and suits.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
In the Reel, Lorenze and Paul share a hug before walking down the street with their arms around each other.
—Katie Mannion, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Amid a heavy uniformed law enforcement presence later Wednesday morning, children in dark green uniforms trickled out of the school with adults, giving lingering hugs and wiping away tears.
—Mark Vancleave, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 2025.
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