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to nest

to nest

9 2.7
To settle comfortably in a warm or soft place
  • verb
  • /nɛst/
translation icon : acurrucarse
  • It looks like they're nesting.

Examples

  • Birds nested and sang in the tree, and she nested and sang in her house.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • We all decided to nest in the cozy corner of the room, away from the drafty windows.

  • We will nest here for the night.

  • You can nest in the trees or wherever you find a good space for a home.

    Academic text (2005)
  • So this one, I'm going to nest right up here.

  • And yes, I'm like slowly just nesting and getting comfy.

  • Well, come on, we all know Becki And even she's falling victim to the urge to nest.

  • Whatever troubled her veered away and nested somewhere in the trees among the unseen birds.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • After a long day, she loved to nest on the couch with a warm blanket and a good book.

  • On cold winter nights, the cat will often nest in my lap, purring softly.

Synonyms

to snuggle
vsto nest
  • Informal
59 2.0

Move close and settle into a warm, comfortable position, often with a person or pet

is more solitary and neutral about closeness
31 3.1

Sit down and relax as if you are at home

means a short cozy positioning rather than general relaxation
to roost
vsto nest
16 4.2

To rest or sleep in a high place like a tree

refers to cozy arranging for comfort not species specific resting
to nestle
vsto nest
15 3.6

Move into a small comfortable place to feel warm and safe

is used more broadly beyond close physical positioning
to ensconce
vsto nest
  • Formal
12 8.6

To put someone or something in a comfortable, safe place

describes self settling with cozy comfort rather than being placed
to lounge
vsto nest
12 2.7

To sit or lie in a place and relax

implies a brief snug settling rather than lounging lazily
to cuddle
vsto nest
8 1.0

Moving yourself into a comfortable position for warmth or safety

is less focused on physical closeness and more general comfort
to nuzzle
vsto nest
1 3.8

To press close to someone or something to be warm and comfortable

focuses on general settling without close pressing

Antonyms

7 4.9

To make someone feel worried or uneasy

Idioms

1 8.3

Use a job or position to get money for yourself in a dishonest way

To cause a lot of trouble and anger among people

Compounds

21 3.4

Money saved for the future, for example for retirement or emergencies

12 4.2

A small private place where two people in love spend romantic time together

hornet's nest
  • Informal
8 7.2

A situation that causes much trouble and angry reactions

4 6.1

A small platform near the top of a ship's mast where a lookout stands

3 1.0

A small home a bird builds to lay eggs and raise its young

rat's nest
  • Informal
2 6.8

A very messy place with many things mixed together

hornets' nest
  • Informal
1 6.7

A situation that causes trouble, danger, or strong disagreement

A nest made of paper-like material by wasps where they live

1 3.7

A home made from chewed wood that wasps build to hold many insects

1 1.0

A place where a bird lays eggs and takes care of its baby birds

1 9.9

An insulting name for a mental hospital

mare's nest
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A confusing, chaotic situation with many mixed-up parts

A home built by hornets or wasps where they raise their young

bird's nest fern
  • Specialized
8.8

A tropical fern with long curved leaves that form a round nest in tree forks

bird's-nest fungus
  • Specialized
9.9

A small cup-shaped fungus that looks like a tiny nest of eggs

9.9

A fern that climbs trees and has broad leaves that look like a bird's nest

magpie's nest
  • Informal
8.5

A messy collection of many different small things

A small home mice build to keep and raise their babies

A place a mouse makes to live and raise its babies

hurrah's nest
  • Informal
9.9

A noisy joyful party with people cheering and running around

nest egg
  • Archaic
7.5

A fake egg placed in a chicken coop to make hens lay in one spot

9.9

A hidden group of people who stay inactive until they get orders to do illegal or violent acts

A structure made by wasps or hornets where they live and raise young

How Comfortable

to snuggle
  • Informal
59 2.0
to nest
9 2.7
to settle
540 2.8
to sit
1.0
to perch
67 4.4

Surface Forms

nest infinitive
nested past
nested past participle
nesting present participle
nests third person singular

Etymology

The verb nest meaning to settle comfortably comes from the same image: it is like making yourself into a safe, warm 'nest', so to 'nest' into a chair is to settle in and feel cosy.