Definition

1. Noun:

   • A close and affectionate (and often prolonged) embrace, typically expressing warmth, comfort, or love.

2. Verb (transitive):

   • To hold a person, animal, or sometimes an object close in one's arms as a way of showing affection, providing comfort, or sharing warmth.
3. Verb (intransitive):
   • To move or position oneself close to someone or something in a comfortable, cozy, and affectionate manner.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The baby fell asleep after a long cuddle with her mother.
  • He gave her a warm cuddle to make her feel better.

• Verb (transitive):

  • She cuddled the puppy to calm it down.
  • I love to cuddle my daughter before she goes to sleep.

• Verb (intransitive):

  • The kittens cuddled together for warmth.
  • They cuddled on the sofa while watching a movie.

Advanced Usage

• "to cuddle up": To settle into a comfortable, cozy, and close position, often for warmth or affection.

  • On cold nights, we cuddle up under a thick blanket.
  • The child cuddled up to her favorite teddy bear.

• "to have a cuddle": To engage in an act of cuddling.

  • Let's have a cuddle before you leave for work.

Variants and Related Words

• Cuddly (adjective): Appealing and pleasant to cuddle; soft and inviting affection.
  • The toy rabbit is so soft and cuddly.
• Cuddlesome (adjective): Another term for 'cuddly'.
  • The puppy is incredibly cuddlesome.

Synonyms

• Hug: To hold someone tightly in one's arms, typically as an expression of affection. (A 'hug' can be briefer than a 'cuddle'.)
• Snuggle: To settle or move into a warm, comfortable, and close position. (Often used interchangeably with 'cuddle'.)
• Embrace: A more formal term for holding someone closely in one's arms.
• Nestle: To settle or lie comfortably within or against something.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Cuddle up (to/with someone/something): To move close to someone or something for comfort, warmth, or affection.
  • He cuddled up to his partner for warmth.
  • The cat cuddled up with the dog.

Related Idioms

• (As) cuddly as a teddy bear: Used to describe someone or something that is very soft, warm, and inviting to cuddle.
  • My new sweater is as cuddly as a teddy bear.
• A cuddle puddle: A playful, informal term for a group of people or animals cuddling together closely.
  • The pile of sleeping puppies was a perfect cuddle puddle.

Noun

1. a close and affectionate (and often prolonged) embrace

Verb

1. hold (a person or thing) close, as for affection, comfort, or warmth
   • I cuddled the baby
2. move or arrange oneself in a comfortable and cozy position
   • We cuddled against each other to keep warm
   • The children snuggled into their sleeping bags