snug

1 of 3

verb

snugged; snugging

intransitive verb

: snuggle, nestle
snug down for bed

transitive verb

1
: to cause to fit closely
2
: to make snug
3
4
: to secure by fastening or lashing down

snug

2 of 3

adjective

snugger; snuggest
1
a
of a ship : manifesting seaworthiness : taut
b
: trim, neat
c
: fitting closely and comfortably
a snug coat
2
a
: enjoying or affording warm secure shelter or cover and opportunity for ease and contentment
a snug cottage
a snug haven
b
: marked by cordiality and secure privacy
3
: affording a degree of comfort and ease
a snug income
4
: offering safe concealment
a snug hideout
snug adverb
snugly adverb
snugness noun

snug

3 of 3

noun

British
: a small private room or compartment in a pub
Choose the Right Synonym for snug

comfortable, cozy, snug, easy, restful mean enjoying or providing a position of contentment and security.

comfortable applies to anything that encourages serenity, well-being, or complacency as well as physical ease.

started feeling comfortable in our new surroundings

cozy suggests warmth, shelter, assured ease, and friendliness.

a cozy neighborhood coffee shop

snug suggests having just enough space for comfort and safety but no more.

a snug little cottage

easy implies relief from or absence of anything likely to cause discomfort or constraint.

living in easy circumstances

restful applies to whatever induces or contributes to rest or relaxation.

a quiet restful vacation

Examples of snug in a Sentence

Verb the farmhand snugged down in the hay and proceeded to go to sleep Adjective The shoes were too snug. These jeans are snug around the hips. We were snug in the cabin. She felt snug under the warm blanket. The children were snug in their beds.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Most of them grow from southern Oregon down into northern California, snugged up against the rugged Pacific coast. Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2024 On Google Maps, Zdarsky’s hangar-cum-house can be seen snugged into the crossings of several dirt runways on an isolated section of land located in Utah’s remote northwestern desert. Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Aug. 2023
Adjective
The hook and front-zip closure allow easy removal and lend extra chest security, while the adjustable straps ensure a custom, snug fit. Kate Watson, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2024 The stretchy elastic material ensures a snug fit without compromising on comfort, adapting gracefully to your body’s natural curves. Rebecca Martinson, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2024
Noun
The relaxed arch band loosely snugs against your foot for maximum comfort with light compression. Mike Richard, Men's Health, 3 Mar. 2023 Inside and out, everything hinges and snugs: The writing desk collapses, the shelving folds flat, and the bed frame stows away into its own headboard. Josh Condon, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2023 See all Example Sentences for snug 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'snug.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish snygg tidy

Noun

short for snuggery

First Known Use

Verb

1583, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Adjective

circa 1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of snug was in 1583

Dictionary Entries Near snug

Cite this Entry

“Snug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snug. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

snug

1 of 2 verb
snugged; snugging
1
: to settle or lie down : snuggle
2
: to make snug

snug

2 of 2 adjective
snugger; snuggest
1
a
c
: fitting closely and comfortably
a snug coat
2
: enjoying or providing warm secure shelter and comfort : cozy
a snug cottage
3
: fairly large
a snug fortune
4
: offering safe concealment
a snug harbor
snug adverb
snugly adverb
snugness noun

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