hygge

1 of 2

noun

hyg·​ge ˈhyü-gə  ˈhü-  ˈhu̇- 

: a cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable

During the long, dark winters when Danes retreat inside their homes, hygge is what brings them a great sense of comfort and joy.

—Mary Holland

"I believe now—in the midst of this pandemic—is the perfect time for people to embody hygge by focusing on the present moment, spending quality time with people who make them happy, and ultimately finding peace," [Christine] Christensen said in an email.

—Courtney Kueppers

And after the recent trend of cozy, comforting hygge, there's another Scandinavian state of mind to embrace.

—Leanne Italie

hygge

2 of 2

adjective

: invoking or fostering a sense of coziness, contentment, and well-being

… a hygge Christmas dinner setting needs only essential tableware, beloved family ornaments and a few tasteful sprigs of greenery.

—Francesca Brown

To live the hygge way, focus on friendship, wholesomeness, and happiness.

—Hannah Bruneman

"… people are at home all the time. People will realize cozy is better than stark. It's all about the hygge trend."

—Jonathan Adler

Examples of hygge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Inspired by Viking lodges and decked out with cozy fireplaces, each room oozes with hygge. —Hugh Garvey, Sunset Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023

Originating in Denmark, hygge is all about living comfortably and encouraging feelings of coziness. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 4 Aug. 2023

Embrace your inner hygge and cozy up outside with this mix of ultra-packable, super comfy, kid and couple-friendly, and reliably warm camping blankets—designed for all kinds of adventure. —Erica Zazo, Popular Mechanics, 31 July 2023

Check out our favorite cozy hygge finds below—and start shopping now! —Samantha Driscoll, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2021

To add some hygge to your home, try lighting candles, pulling out a fuzzy throw blanket, hanging twinkly lights and baking a treat that will fill the air with spice. —Jen Rose Smith, CNN, 19 Nov. 2020

Many Americans only became aware of the Danish concept of hygge within the past few years. —Rachel King, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2021

What are your go-to methods for enjoying hygge? —Rachel King, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2021

Make your home a little hygge. —Jen Rose Smith, CNN, 19 Nov. 2020

Adjective

Specializing in Scandi-chic interiors and hygge habitats, the hotel features wood paneling and flooring, leather furniture draped in fur, midcentury lighting, and a gas fireplace. —Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2024

The term hygge may have already jumped the shark, but this resort makes a strong case for coziness. —Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2024

Accessed by private elevator, the single-level residence takes in panoramic views of Beaver Creek from the open-plan main living spaces, where a corner fireplace and wood floors add a hygge vibe. —Lauren Beale, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

Outside of the fashion shows and dinners, a bevy of perfect little bookstores, cafés, and vintage collections also reflect Copenhagen’s emphasis on sustainability, design, and of course, hygge. —Megan O'Sullivan, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2024

White, fluffy, hygge pillows — like in the magazines, not her catalogues. —Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 18 Dec. 2023

Ugg's best-selling, cushy Cozy Chenille Sock will help get your giftee into peak hygge mode for the rest of the season. —Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 4 Dec. 2023

For the hygge enthusiast Few materials feel quite as luxurious as cashmere, and having the indulgently soft fabric encase your feet feels like a real treat. —Sarah Grossbart, wsj.com, 9 Nov. 2023

From mini portable fireplaces to weighted blankets and crochet beanies, here’s what to wrap up and give to the hygge obsessives in your life. —Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Danish, "comfort, coziness," borrowed from Norwegian hygge (Bokmål), hyggje (Nynorsk), probably noun derivative of hygge (Bokmål), hyggje (Nynorsk) "to make comfortable," also regionally "to notice, understand, take care of, be fond of," going back to an Old Norwegian equivalent of Old Icelandic hyggja "to think, believe," going back to Germanic *hugjan- (whence also Old English hycgan "to think, meditate, consider," Old Frisian hugia "to be recalled," Old Saxon huggian "to think [of], be mindful of, consider, plan," Old High German huggen "to think, have in mind, be mindful of," Gothic hugjan "to be of a [specified] state of mind"), noun derivative of *hugi- "mind" (whence Old English hyge "mind, thought, intention," Old Frisian hei "mind," Old Saxon hugi "thought, mind, intention," Old High German hugu "mind, understanding," Old Norse hugr "mind, heart, wish," Gothic hugs "mind"), of uncertain origin

Adjective

from attributive use of hygge entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1960, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1963, in the meaning defined above