# cuddle

/ˈkədəɫ/ (US) · /kˈʌdəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cuddle
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to hold affectionately

verb · CEFR B1

to hold someone close in your arms to show that you love them or to make them feel safe.

For teachers: to hold someone or something close in an affectionate embrace, often for an extended period.

- The mother sat on the sofa to cuddle her crying toddler until he fell asleep.
- After a long day apart, the couple liked to cuddle on the sofa while watching a film to unwind together.

### 2. to lie close for warmth

verb · CEFR B2

to lie or sit very close to someone else, usually to stay warm or feel comfortable.

For teachers: to nestle or lie close together, typically to benefit from shared body heat or emotional comfort.

- The puppies all cuddled together in the corner of their bed to stay warm.
- During the blizzard, the hikers had to cuddle together under their emergency blankets to maintain their core body temperatures.

### 3. an affectionate embrace

noun · CEFR B1

a long, loving hug.

For teachers: an instance of holding someone affectionately in one's arms.

- My daughter always gives me a big cuddle before she goes to school.
- The child sought a reassuring cuddle from his father after being startled by the sudden clap of thunder.

## Examples

- She likes to cuddle her cat on the sofa.
- The couple decided to cuddle on the couch while watching a movie.
- In the quiet of the evening, they would cuddle under heavy blankets, finding solace in each other's warmth against the biting winter wind.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.