snuggle

IPA/ˈsnʌɡl/
KK[snˈʌɡəl]IPA/ˈsnʌɡl/

snuggle — verb

  • snugglepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • snuggleshe / she / it
  • snuggledpast simple
  • snuggling-ing form

1. to settle your body into a warm, soft place or right next to someone, moving gen

1.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to settle your body into a warm, soft place or right next to someone, moving gently until you feel perfectly comfortable

Example

After her bath, little Mei-Lin snuggled into her warm pajamas and fuzzy blanket.

snuggle + into [soft clothing or bedding]

The cat jumped onto the sofa and snuggled against Diego's side.

Common collocations
  • snuggle up
  • snuggle down
  • snuggle into
  • snuggle against
  • snuggle under
  • snuggle closer
Synonyms
  • cuddle

    focuses on holding someone in your arms with affection, while 'snuggle' emphasizes settling into a comfortable position

  • nestle

    more gentle and careful, often used for fitting into a small or soft space

  • curl up

    describes the body shape (curling) more than the act of drawing close to someone or something

Grammar Patterns

snuggle + adverb/preposition (up, down, into, against, under, closer)

Usage Note

Frequently used with a following adverb or prepositional phrase that specifies where or how you settle. The phrasal form 'snuggle up' is especially common when two or more people sit close together for warmth or comfort.

Common Mistakes

I snuggle my baby.
I snuggle with my baby.' or 'I snuggle my baby close to me.
'snuggle' is normally intransitive; to include an object you need a preposition or an adverb like 'close'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe affectionate closeness, but they differ in the kind of movement and contact. 'Snuggle' is the broadest: you can snuggle into a blanket, against a person, or up to a pet — the main idea is settling comfortably. 'Cuddle' requires a person (or sometimes a pet) and implies holding for a longer time; you cuddle a crying child, but you snuggle into a pillow. 'Nestle' is more gentle and careful, often with the idea of fitting into a designated place ('She nestled the baby in the crook of her arm'). 'Curl up' describes your body position (knees tucked in) more than the act of drawing close to someone — you can curl up alone on the sofa. 'Nuzzle' is a different action: pressing the nose or face against someone gently. To choose, ask: are you settling in (snuggle), holding someone (cuddle), fitting carefully (nestle), tucking your legs (curl up), or rubbing with your face (nuzzle)?

cuddle ↗nestle ↗curl up ↗nuzzle ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • snuggle up to somebody
  • snuggle down in bed
  • snuggle under the covers

Prepositions

Etymology

Old NorseEnglish

The word 'snuggle' dates back to the late 1600s and is a frequentative form of the word 'snug' — meaning to lie closely and comfortably. The base 'snug' itself probably came from Scandinavian languages (compare Old Norse 'snöggr' meaning short-haired or smooth). The '-le' ending adds a sense of repeated or gentle action, so 'snuggle' literally suggests 'to make oneself snug again and again' — which beautifully matches the cozy, nestling movement it describes.