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 little chapel John and Carolyn have picked is nestled in the woods, which means their guests have to be Jeeped there. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026

Arroz con leche, chocolate mazapan and cream cheese nestled together in a sheet of crisp nori. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026

Purchased in 1994 by the son of the president, the two-bedroom loft was nestled in the heart of Tribeca, which is today one of Manhattan's most expensive neighborhoods. —Emma Banks, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026

Detailed images captured up close by the rover are now revealing bumpy, pea-sized nodules clinging to those ridges and nestled in the hollows between them. —Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 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