snuggle

verb

snug·​gle ˈsnə-gəl How to pronounce snuggle (audio)
snuggled; snuggling ˈsnə-g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce snuggle (audio)

intransitive verb

: to curl up comfortably or cozily

transitive verb

1
: to draw close especially for comfort or in affection
2
: to make snug
snuggle noun

Examples of snuggle in a Sentence

The puppy snuggled up against the sleeping boy. The boy snuggled close to his mother. The dog snuggled its nose between the pillows. The baby snuggled his head against my chest.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the clip, Frankel snuggles up with a cozy blanket while Villante is seen working on a fireplace in the background. Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025 Hera practically snuggled Mars and Deimos during the flyby. Amanda Kooser, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 Olga, a wolverine living at The Alaska Zoo in Anchorage, gave birth to the furry little ones around Feb. 8, and the zoo announced their arrival March 31 via social media with a video of them snuggling. Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2025 They are seated at the dining table, each snuggling a 5-year-old child on his lap. Louise Rafkin, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for snuggle

Word History

Etymology

frequentative of snug entry 1

First Known Use

1687, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of snuggle was in 1687

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snuggle. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

snuggle

verb
snug·​gle ˈsnəg-əl How to pronounce snuggle (audio)
snuggled; snuggling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce snuggle (audio)
1
: to curl up comfortably or cozily : cuddle
2
: to pull in close especially for comfort or in affection : nestle

More from Merriam-Webster on snuggle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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