snuggle
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to lie or sit very close to someone or something to feel warm and safe.
v.to settle into a warm, comfortable position in close physical contact with another person or a soft object.
Simple“The children like to snuggle with their parents while watching a movie.”
In context“After a long day in the cold, the couple decided to snuggle up under a thick woollen blanket by the fireplace.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'up' or 'with'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to move yourself into a comfortable position, like under a blanket.
v.to arrange oneself in a cosy or comfortable position, often by burrowing into bedding or soft furniture.
Simple“She snuggled into the duvet and was asleep within minutes.”
In context“The cat snuggled into the pile of freshly laundered towels, finding the residual warmth irresistible.”
UsageFrequently used as an intransitive verb followed by 'into'.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a short period of sitting or lying close to someone in a comfortable way.
n.an instance of snuggling; a brief period of affectionate physical closeness.
Simple“The toddler asked for a quick snuggle before he went to bed.”
In context“A morning snuggle on the sofa became a daily ritual for the family before the rush of the workday began.”
From snug + -le (frequentative suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.