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Glite Dictionary
🤗 An embrace 🤗 To embrace 🩳 To fit tightly
hug

hug

433 1.0
A tight hold with the arms to show care
  • noun
  • /hʌg/
translation icon : abrazo
  • The little girl ran to her mother, excitedly giving her a tight hug.
  • give a hug
  • get a hug
  • hugs and kisses

Oh, this is better than a hug from what I've read.

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Examples

  • I jump up, give him a big hug and we sit down.

  • With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you.

  • And he gave me the biggest hug, biggest hug.

  • You may need someone to come and give you a hug and have a cup of tea.

    Academic text (2009)

  • Nick gave her a fierce hug, as if he had not seen her for months.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • When my father finally gets upstairs, he gives me a hug and tells me to drive carefully.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Then I ran into Frances in the hall and got a big hug and a chat.

    Academic text (2013)

  • Drew arrives, and impulsively he gives her a hug, genuinely very happy to see her.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Ezzie, get on out here and give your Uncle Nicky a hug!

    Ezra (2024)

  • Dropping onto the lounge beside me, she gave me a hug and whispered, "Stop looking so worried."

    Fiction book (1991)

Synonyms

embrace
vshug
61 3.3

A close hug that shows affection and comfort

is only a physical affectionate arm hold rather than a figurative action
snuggle
vshug
  • Informal
12 2.1

A warm, close hug with a person or pet to show affection

is a shorter single affectionate arm hold rather than prolonged cuddling
squeeze
vshug
  • Informal
10 2.0

A tight warm hug

is a general affectionate arm hold that is not necessarily very tight
bear hug
vshug
9 3.0

A very strong, tight hold with your arms around someone

is an affectionate arm hold usually without overpowering strength
clinch
vshug
5 5.8

A tight hold between two people, as in a hug or a fight

is a friendly affectionate arm hold, not a grappling or fighting move
embracement
vshug
1 4.7

Holding someone in your arms to show affection

is a simple affectionate arm hold rather than a formal greeting action
abrazo
vshug
1 8.2

A warm hug people give to show affection

is a personal affectionate arm hold not chiefly a cultural greeting ritual
bunny hug
vshug
  • Informal
9.2

A warm, comforting embrace someone gives to show care

is a neutral affectionate arm hold without extra emphasis on comfort
open-armed hug
vshug
2.5

A warm welcome you give by opening your arms to hold someone

is focused on close contact and holding rather than an open welcome gesture

Compounds

bear hug
9 3.0

A very strong, tight hold with your arms around someone

bear hug
  • Jargon
1 8.1

An offer to buy a company at a very high price that its directors feel they must accept

bunny hug
  • Archaic
9.9

A lively ballroom dance popular in the United States in the early 1900s

bunny hug
  • Informal
9.2

A warm, comforting embrace someone gives to show care

hug drug
  • NSFW
9.9

A drug taken at parties that makes people feel more friendly and loving

hug-a-hoodie
9.1

A very large, thick sweatshirt you wear to feel warm and cozy

hug-me-tight
  • Archaic
9.9

A short tight jacket for women worn in the 1800s

open-armed hug
2.5

A warm welcome you give by opening your arms to hold someone

wombly hug
  • Informal
9.9

A warm, soft embrace that makes you feel safe and cozy

How Affectionate

bear hug
9 3.0
to cuddle
72 1.0
hug
433 1.0
pat
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

hug singular
hugs plural

Etymology

Hug comes from an old Scandinavian word hugga meaning 'to comfort'. So a hug is literally a way to give comfort by holding someone close.