nestle

verb

nes·​tle ˈne-səl 

nestled; nestling ˈne-s(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

archaic : nest sense 1

2

: to settle snugly or comfortably

3

: to lie in an inconspicuous or sheltered manner

transitive verb

1

: to settle, shelter, or house in or as if in a nest

… the children were nestled all snug in their beds …

—Clement Moore

2

: to press closely and affectionately

nestles a kitten in her arms

nestler

ˈne-s(ə-)lər 

noun

Synonyms of nestle

• snuggle
• cuddle
• nuzzle

Examples of nestle in a Sentence

He nestled his head against his mother's shoulder.

She carefully nestled the hamster into its cage.

The fly ball nestled into the outfielder's glove.

Recent Examples on the Web

Multiple agencies, including other fire departments and the Hamilton County Urban Search and Rescue team, also responded to the trench, which was nestled in a yard between two properties. —Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Dec. 2025

We’re currently nestled in the period between Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, when time acts strangely and the calendar never behaves like it’s supposed to. —James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025

Bosphorus is that sort of place, a charming Turkish café nestled in a squat maroon house whose walls drip with rugs, photos and assorted trinkets. —Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 5 Dec. 2025

Sample local street foods like taiyaki and senbei from family-run stalls nestled along narrow alleys. —Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English nestlian, from nest

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for nestle

• cresol
• decile
• pestle
• sessile
• trestle
• vessel
• wessel
• wrestle
• subsessile

Kids Definition

nestle

verb

nes·​tle ˈnes-əl 

nestled; nestling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to lie close and snug : cuddle

2

: to settle as if in a nest

nestler

-(ə-)lər 

noun