Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • intransitive verb To lie or press close together; cuddle.
  • intransitive verb To curl up closely or comfortably; nestle.
  • intransitive verb To draw close or hold closely, as for comfort or in affection; hug.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To move one way and the other to get close to something or some one; lie close for warmth or from affection; cuddle; nestle.
  • To bring close for comfort or for affection; cuddle; nestle.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • transitive verb To move one way and the other so as to get a close place; to lie close for comfort; to cuddle; to nestle.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun An affectionate hug.
  • noun The final remnant left in a liquor bottle.
  • verb transitive, intransitive To lie close to another person or thing, hugging or being cosy.
  • verb To move or arrange oneself in a comfortable and cozy position.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb move or arrange oneself in a comfortable and cozy position
  • verb position comfortably
  • noun a close and affectionate (and often prolonged) embrace

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[ Frequentative of snug.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

First attested in 1687. snug +‎ -le (“frequentative”); spelt with doubled ‘g’ to clarify pronunciation.

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Examples

  • When my six year old, who loves to "snuggle", is 26 I hope I have other ways to show her how much I love her.

    Checkers Dave Hingsburger 2007

  • He requires more energy than * I* possess, the charm of his snuggle is pretty dang irresistible ♥

    2009 September « Bodhicitta 2009

  • He requires more energy than * I* possess, the charm of his snuggle is pretty dang irresistible ♥

    Raising Buddha « Bodhicitta 2009

  • Or "Middle East in snuggle-fit over photos of little boy feeding a duck."

    The True Path Is A Maze Of Twisty Little Passages, All Unique 2006

  • Still another explanation for the appeal or horror movies may be the so-called "snuggle theory."

    Scary Movies and Real-Life Risks Melinda Beck 2011

  • The foster mom says, "At night she sleeps in her bed at the foot of our bed, but sometimes likes to sneak a snuggle or two right before my husband and I go to bed." nancycunderwood@gmail.com.

    ReadLarryPowell.com 2009

  • I will want to "snuggle" with her too if she wants, but at 26 hugs, kisses and other ways will work.

    Checkers Dave Hingsburger 2007

  • As for the snuggling, when my eyes roll back and foam starts appearing at my mouth, that's usually a cue the 'snuggle' part might be over.

    Getting by on 10% (and bras with fur!) Elizabeth McClung 2008

  • It isn't until at least 47 days when brain waves can first be detected that the embryo has developed enough to even begin imagining a "snuggle", and even then it's a stretch.

    The War on Science (and Common Sense): Abstinence-Only Sex Ed 2005

  • It isn't until at least 47 days when brain waves can first be detected that the embryo has developed enough to even begin imagining a "snuggle", and even then it's a stretch.

    Archive 2005-12-01 Peggy 2005

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