noun · verb · 9 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˈkʌd.l̩/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ʌdəl
CMU ARPABET:K AH1 D AH0 L
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
An intimate physical embrace, typically while lying (or sitting): a snuggle, an instance of lying together snugly, as one might with a partner (more intimate than a hug, and typically of longer duration).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
An affectionate embrace, a hug, such as is given to family members and close friends (less intimate than a snuggle, and typically of shorter duration).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK
Examples
Give me a cuddle, Paul; it'll cheer you up.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
To lie together snugly (with someone), in an intimate physical embrace; to snuggle.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, intransitive, transitive
Examples
The young lovers cuddled on the couch.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
To embrace (someone) affectionately; to hug (someone) closely.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, intransitive, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
verb
Meaning 5
To cradle (e.g. a baby) in one's arms so as to give comfort, warmth.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
She cuddled the infant before bedtime.
I'm cold; can you roll over here and cuddle me, honey?
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
verb
Meaning 6
To lie close or snug; to crouch; to nestle.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
a close and affectionate (and often prolonged) embrace
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: nestle, snuggle
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: embrace, embracing, embracement
8
verb
Meaning 8
move or arrange oneself in a comfortable and cozy position
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
We cuddled against each other to keep warm
The children snuggled into their sleeping bags
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: snuggle, nestle, nest, nuzzle, draw close
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: cling to, hold close, hold tight, clutch
9
verb
Meaning 9
hold (a person or thing) close, as for affection, comfort, or warmth
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
I cuddled the baby
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: embrace, hug, bosom, squeeze
History
Etymology
Origin uncertain, but probably from a frequentative form of Middle English *cudden, cuththen, keththen (“to embrace”), a variant of cuthen, kuthen, kithen (“to be familiar with, make known”), from Middle English cuth, couth (“known, familiar”), equivalent to couth + -le. Cognate with Middle Dutch kudden (“to come together, flock together”). More at couth.
Across languages
Translations
117 source translations are retained for this English entry.
