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

hug

489 1.0
A tight hold with the arms to show care
  • noun
  • /hʌg/
: 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
65 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
14 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
bear hug
vshug
12 3.0

A very strong, tight hold with your arms around someone

is an affectionate arm hold usually without overpowering strength
clinch
vshug
7 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
squeeze
vshug
  • Informal
2 2.0

A tight warm hug

is a general affectionate arm hold that is not necessarily very tight
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
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
bunny hug
vshug
  • Informal
1 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
1 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
12 3.0

A very strong, tight hold with your arms around someone

bunny hug
  • Informal
1 9.2

A warm, comforting embrace someone gives to show care

open-armed hug
1 2.5

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

hug drug
  • NSFW
1 9.9

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

bear hug
  • Jargon
1 8.1

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

hug-me-tight
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A short tight jacket for women worn in the 1800s

bunny hug
  • Archaic
9.9

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

hug-a-hoodie
9.1

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

wombly hug
  • Informal
9.9

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

How Affectionate

bear hug
12 3.0
to cuddle
45 1.0
hug
489 1.0
pat
47 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.