hug
v. · n.-
1 to embrace (v.) A2 Elementaryto put your arms around someone to show you like them or to say hello.
to squeeze someone tightly in one's arms, typically to express affection, greeting, or consolation.
ExampleThe children ran to hug their grandmother as soon as she walked through the door.
ExampleUpon hearing the news of the successful operation, the family members hugged one another in a spontaneous display of relief and joy.
UsageThis is a transitive verb that takes a person as a direct object.
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2 to stay close to (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto stay very close to the edge of something while moving.
to move or remain very close to a physical boundary or edge.
ExampleThe small boat had to hug the shore to avoid the rough waves in the middle of the lake.
ExampleThe cyclist was careful to hug the curb as the heavy lorries thundered past him on the narrow country road.
UsageOften used with objects like 'the coast', 'the shore', or 'the curb'.
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3 an embrace (n.) A2 Elementarythe act of holding someone close in your arms.
a physical act of affection involving the wrapping of arms around another person.
ExampleHe gave his sister a big hug before he got on the plane.
ExampleA warm hug can often communicate more sympathy and understanding than a long speech during times of grief.
UsageCommonly used with the verb 'give'.
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4 to cherish an idea (v.) C1 Advanced Literaryto keep a feeling or belief in your mind because it makes you feel good.
to hold onto a belief, feeling, or idea with great tenacity or affection.
ExampleEven after many years, he continued to hug the hope that they would meet again.
ExampleThe exiled leader continued to hug the belief that his people would one day rise up and demand his return.
UsageUsually takes abstract nouns like 'belief', 'delusion', or 'hope' as objects.
From earlier hugge (“to embrace, clasp with the arms”) (1560), probably representing a conflation of huck (“to crouch, huddle down”) and Old Norse hugga (“to comfort, console”), from hugr (“mind, heart, thought”), from Proto-Germanic *hugiz (“mind, thought, sense”), cognate with Icelandic hugga (“to comfort”), Old English hyġe (“thought”) (whence high (Etymology 2)).