Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense cuddles, present participle cuddling, past tense, past participle cuddled
verb
If you cuddle someone, you put your arms round them and hold them close as a way of showing your affection.
He cuddled the newborn girl. [VERB noun]
They used to kiss and cuddle in front of everyone. [VERB]
Synonyms: pet [informal], hug, canoodle [slang], bill and coo More Synonyms of cuddle
Cuddle is also a noun.
Give her a cuddle.
Phrasal verbs:
See cuddle up
More Synonyms of cuddle
cuddle in British English
(ˈkʌdəl)
verb
1.
to hold (another person or thing) close or (of two people, etc) to hold each other close, as for affection, comfort, or warmth; embrace; hug
2. (intransitive; foll byup)
to curl or snuggle up into a comfortable or warm position
noun
3.
a close embrace, esp when prolonged
Derived forms
cuddlesome (ˈcuddlesome)
adjective
cuddly (ˈcuddly)
adjective
Word origin
C18: of uncertain origin
cuddle in American English
(ˈkʌdəl)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈcuddled or ˈcuddling
1.
to hold lovingly and gently in one's arms; embrace and fondle
verb intransitive
2.
to lie close and snug; nestle
noun
3.
a cuddling
4.
an embrace; hug
SIMILAR WORDS: caˈress
Word origin
Early ModE, to make comfortable, prob. < ME (northern dial.) *cudelen for *couthelen (for -d, see fiddle) < couth, known, hence acquainted with, comfortable with (see ) + -le, freq. suffix
Examples of 'cuddle' in a sentence
cuddle
I'll try to give him a cuddle, soften him up.
The Sun (2017)
We reassure her with cuddles and often give in to her refusal to do something.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Marriage is an official comfort and cuddle.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This makes women then want to cuddle and talk.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
And in a third he gives her a cuddle as the pair pose for their proud mother.
The Sun (2015)
Find this book out and cuddle it close.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It seemed incredible but it seemed they were on the brink of having a cuddle on the front bench.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Nobody to give you a cuddle.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Ask him for a gentle massage, cuddles and hugs.
The Sun (2014)
He then proves his point with torrents of offence, cuddled by the warm blanket of context.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
I gave him a cuddle just to comfort him but things moved on from there.
The Sun (2016)
I'd rather go out for a romantic meal or sit at home and cuddle in front of a movie.
The Sun (2012)
The instinct, especially for her mother, is to want to cuddle and hold.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He was generous with hugs, cuddles and games on the floor, and he smelt distinctively of cologne and soap.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Other members of the group will also be encouraged to show understanding, both verbally and physically, with hugs and cuddles.
Orton, Christine Eczema Relief - the comprehensive self-help plan (1990)
In other languages
cuddle
British English: cuddle /ˈkʌdl/ NOUN
A cuddle is a close embrace, especially when prolonged.
I just wanted to give him a cuddle.
American English: cuddle
Arabic: عِنَاق
Brazilian Portuguese: abraço
Chinese: 拥抱
Croatian: grljenje
Czech: objetí
Danish: knus
Dutch: knuffel
European Spanish: abrazo
Finnish: halaus
French: câlin
German: Umarmung
Greek: αγκαλιά
Italian: coccola
Japanese: 抱擁
Korean: 포옹
Norwegian: omfavnelse
Polish: uścisk
European Portuguese: abraço
Romanian: îmbrățișare
Russian: объятия
Latin American Spanish: abrazo
Swedish: kram
Thai: การกอดด้วยความรักใคร่
Turkish: kucaklama
Ukrainian: обійми
Vietnamese: sự ôm ấp
British English: cuddle /ˈkʌdl/ VERB
If you cuddle someone, you put your arms round them and hold them close as a way of showing your affection.
Everyone wanted to cuddle the baby.
American English: cuddle
Arabic: يُعَانِقُ
Brazilian Portuguese: fazer carinho
Chinese: 拥抱
Croatian: zagrliti
Czech: obejmout
Danish: omfavne
Dutch: knuffelen
European Spanish: abrazar
Finnish: halata
French: câliner
German: schmusen
Greek: αγκαλιάζω
Italian: coccolare
Japanese: 抱きしめる
Korean: 꼭 껴안다
Norwegian: klemme
Polish: przytulić się
European Portuguese: fazer carinho
Romanian: a îmbrățișa
Russian: обнимать
Latin American Spanish: abrazar
Swedish: krama
Thai: กอดด้วยความรักใคร่
Turkish: kucaklamak
Ukrainian: обнімати
Vietnamese: ôm ấp
Chinese translation of 'cuddle'
cuddle
(ˈkʌdl)
vt, vi
搂(摟)抱 (lǒubào)
n(c)
拥(擁)抱 (yōngbào) (个(個), gè)
to have a cuddle拥(擁)抱 (yōngbào)
to give sb a cuddle拥(擁)抱某人 (yōngbào mǒurén)
1 (verb)
Definition
to hug or embrace fondly
He cuddled their newborn baby.
Synonyms
hug
They hugged each other like a couple of lost children.
embrace
Penelope came forward and embraced her sister.
clasp
Mary clasped the children to her desperately.
fondle
He took the child from her mother and fondled her.
cosset
2 (verb)
Definition
to hug or embrace fondly
They used to kiss and cuddle in front of everyone.
Synonyms
pet (informal)
They were kissing and petting on the couch.
hug
canoodle (slang)
bill and coo
phrasal verb
See cuddle up
Additional synonyms
in the sense of clasp
Definition
to grasp or embrace tightly
Mary clasped the children to her desperately.
Synonyms
grasp,
hold,
press,
grip,
seize,
squeeze,
embrace,
clutch,
hug,
enfold
in the sense of embrace
Definition
to clasp (someone) with one's arms as an expression of affection or a greeting
Penelope came forward and embraced her sister.
Synonyms
hug,
hold,
cuddle,
seize,
squeeze,
grasp,
clasp,
envelop,
encircle,
enfold,
canoodle (slang),
take or hold in your arms
in the sense of fondle
Definition
to touch or stroke tenderly
He took the child from her mother and fondled her.