nuzzle

verb

nuz·​zle ˈnə-zəl 

nuzzled; nuzzling ˈnəz-liŋ 

ˈnə-zə-

intransitive verb

1

: to work with or as if with the nose

especially : to root, rub, or snuff something

2

: to lie close or snug

transitive verb

1

: to root, rub, or touch with or as if with the nose

2

: to rub or push gently against something

nuzzled her face against the cushion

Synonyms

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

Example Sentences

The dog nuzzled my leg.

He nuzzled into her neck.

Recent Examples on the Web

Horses came and were sniffing their hair and nuzzling them. —Madison Feller, ELLE, 8 Apr. 2023

One morning, Kiwi came over to nuzzle me awake. —cleveland, 25 May 2022

Beef short ribs nuzzle up to Asian pear. —David Hochman, Forbes, 22 Apr. 2022

Mother bears nuzzle muzzles with their cubs to demonstrate affection and strengthen bonds. —Discover Magazine, 17 Apr. 2015

The bond remained strong between the best friends as Bucket, now 5, grew to more than 1,200 pounds — and started kneeling down to get on eye level with the now 9-year-old Colton to play, nuzzle and groom each other. —Diane Herbst, Peoplemag, 27 Dec. 2022

Some are former strays that remain too skittish to step inside, while other indoor ones frequently nuzzle up against Ms. Broe and her daughter. —Jennifer Medina, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2022

But when the elephant started rubbing his head with its trunk and eventually tried to nuzzle his nose and mouth, Kaunda reached breaking point and burst out laughing. —Terry Baddoo, USA TODAY, 16 Nov. 2022

Tens of thousands of people tuned in every day to watch Dillie loll amid her stuffed toys and nuzzle the family poodle. —Susan Orlean, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English noselen to bring the nose toward the ground, from nose

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

nuzzle

verb

nuz·​zle ˈnəz-əl 

nuzzled; nuzzling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to push or rub with the nose

2

: to lie close : nestle