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
Lauryn Overhultz , Tracy Wright , Maria Paronich , Kirill Clark, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The women appeared to be over the moon about the sentimental catch-up, with one photo showing Jackson and Paris Jackson hugging each other tightly.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Kardashian included several snaps and videos with her children, Tatum, 3, and True, 7, as well as her niece Dream, 8, and nephew Saint, 9, including one of her two children giving each other a big hug and another of her mother Kris Jenner walking with her son.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
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Verb
Diddy hugged all of his lawyers before giving a lengthy handshake to his lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo.
—Lauryn Overhultz , Tracy Wright , Maria Paronich , Kirill Clark, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The women appeared to be over the moon about the sentimental catch-up, with one photo showing Jackson and Paris Jackson hugging each other tightly.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
Dressed in a light-colored crew-neck sweater layered over a white-collared shirt, Combs greeted his legal team with hugs and handshakes before acknowledging family members seated in the gallery.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Kardashian included several snaps and videos with her children, Tatum, 3, and True, 7, as well as her niece Dream, 8, and nephew Saint, 9, including one of her two children giving each other a big hug and another of her mother Kris Jenner walking with her son.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 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 6 Oct. 2025.
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