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

• cuddle
• nuzzle
• snoozle [chiefly dialect]
• snuggle

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

This year's tour includes houses and commercial properties nestled within the oldest part of the city. —Arkansas Online, 2 May 2025

It's nestled in the heart of Georgia’s picturesque wine country near Dahlonega, which boasts a storied history as one of the country's first gold rush towns. —Kimberley Mok, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2025

Cardiff by the Sea is a beach town community nestled within Encinitas City in San Diego. —Bianca Salonga, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

People are lounging on floor cushions, nestled on the couch, mingling and making art by the communal table, and lining up in front of the bar—waiting as the bartender prepares their drink of choice: piping hot tea. —Jasmine Ting, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Apr. 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