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

The 28-acre site is nestled between the Union Pacific Railroad to the east, several businesses to its north, and a band of wetland and trees along its western and southern border that will be preserved. — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Set in the once-industrial Lusk District, The Sherwood will be nestled among a new crop of student housing for Boise State University. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 12 Aug. 2026

Colombia’s Pacific region, especially the portion hit by Monday’s quake, is among the nation’s poorest and partially nestled in dense jungle, The Guardian reported. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

The Pacific, particularly the Choco region, is one of Colombia's poorest, nestled in dense jungle. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

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