nuzzle
/ˈnʌzl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈnʌzl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈnə-zəl/ (ame, mw)
nuzzle — verb
- nuzzlepresent simple I / you / we / they
- nuzzleshe / she / it
- nuzzledpast simple
- nuzzling-ing form
1. to move your nose, face, or head softly against a person, animal, or thing in a
to move your nose, face, or head softly against a person, animal, or thing in a loving way, often more than once
The puppy nuzzled Camila's hand until she laughed and scratched its ears.
nuzzle + person/object to seek affection
Hamza nuzzled his daughter's hair before walking her into school.
The foal nuzzled its mother's neck while the stable door stood open.
On the sofa, Meera nuzzled the wool blanket against her cheek.
- rub against
more general and does not by itself suggest affection
- cuddle
focuses on holding or staying close, not the nose or head movement
- pull away
to move out of close, affectionate contact
文法句型
nuzzle + person/object
nuzzle + against/into + noun
用法筆記
The subject is often a person or animal, and the object is usually a body part, a person, or something soft. This sense focuses on the gentle rubbing motion itself, unlike sense 2, which focuses on staying close in a resting position.
2. to curl up right beside a person or object and rest there in a warm, easy positi
to curl up right beside a person or object and rest there in a warm, easy position
After the storm, Nia nuzzled close to her grandmother under one blanket.
nuzzle close to + person for warmth
The kittens nuzzled together in the basket beside the heater.
Reuben nuzzled into the corner seat and shut his eyes.
The baby nuzzled against Yael's shoulder during the late bus ride.
- move away
to stop staying pressed close to someone or something
文法句型
nuzzle close to + noun
nuzzle against/into + noun
用法筆記
Often followed by close to, against, or into. Unlike sense 1, this use emphasizes settling into a cozy position rather than gently rubbing to show affection.
3. to push into soil, straw, leaves, or another material with the nose or snout whi
to push into soil, straw, leaves, or another material with the nose or snout while searching or making space
The pig nuzzled through the straw to find the apple pieces.
nuzzle through + material while searching
Eri's dog nuzzled at the loose soil beside the fence.
The boar nuzzled the leaves aside and uncovered a patch of roots.
On the farm, Samir watched the pig nuzzle into the feed sack.
- root
more strongly suggests digging around with a snout, especially for food
- nose through
more informal and often used for searching through objects
文法句型
nuzzle through/into + material
nuzzle + object + aside
用法筆記
This sense is mainly used for animals with snouts. It is often followed by through, at, or into, and it describes searching or shifting material rather than affection.