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

Theirs was a working-class community, nestled just a few blocks west of the presidential palace, that in recent years has been overrun by gangs and subjected to extreme and indiscriminate violence. — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Its owner, Seigo Katsuragawa, guides shoppers through an array of handmade neckties and bow ties lining the walls and nestled like jewels in rows of wooden drawers. — New York Times, 31 July 2026

My dining companions and I are nestled in a cozy corner booth, but with only 16 seats—most of them along a Hinoki wood chef’s counter—the entire restaurant feels intimate. — Abbey Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 July 2026

So, the two started to watch her new favorite show, Santa Clarita Diet, as a ring in a red box sat nestled on the bookshelf just above Kamela’s head. — Lydia Price, PEOPLE, 29 July 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