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Glite Dictionary
snuggling

snuggling

5 2.8
Lying or sitting close to someone to feel warm and safe
  • noun
  • /ˈsnʌɡlɪŋ/
  • Informal
: acurrucamiento
  • After a long day, I look forward to snuggling with my cat on the couch.
  • just snuggling

And before long, maybe even during the snuggling on the couch or the errands or the lunch out, it starts again.

Examples

  • Matt was home this morning, which meant two times of baby snuggling and a cup of coffee delivered to me in bed!

    Blog text (7)

  • There's nothing better than snuggling under a warm blanket on a cold night.

  • OK, I am snuggling up with my baby.

  • And I want a real hug, meaning nine whole seconds of snuggling.

    Team Hot Wheels: The Origin of Awesome! (2014)

  • And half the time I'm asleep already, so it's just about the snuggling, you know?

    Committed (2000)

  • I miss snuggling, swaddling, and everything else in between.

    Blog text (20)

  • I think what is best about breastfeeding is the snuggling and warmth, and those benefits can be carried over to bottle feeding.

    Blog text (9)

  • We're watching Hocus Pocus snuggling up on the sofa.

  • He texted me the next day to say that next time we drink together, I'm staying over and that snuggling felt nice while we slept.

    Blog text (2)

  • She enjoys snuggling with her sister while watching their favorite movie.

Synonyms

cuddling
vssnuggling
13 1.0

Holding someone close in your arms to feel warm and safe

is more about sitting or lying closely for comfort or intimacy
spooning
vssnuggling
  • Informal
6 6.9

Two people lie close on their sides facing the same way

is broader, covering close sitting or lying, not only side by side position
embracing
vssnuggling
1 2.5

A close hug made by putting your arms around someone to show affection

is usually a relaxed close sitting or lying for comfort, not mainly a greeting

Antonyms

distance
201 1.1

A place far away that you can see

isolation
176 3.7

A state of being alone and cut off from other people physically or emotionally

How Affectionate

snuggling
  • Informal
5 2.8
cuddling
13 1.0

Surface Forms

snuggling singular
snugglings plural

Morphology

snuggling = snuggle (transparent) = snuggle + ing

The noun is a gerund/nominalization formed by adding -ing to the verb 'snuggle'; the meaning is directly the act or process of snuggling.

Etymology

The word snuggling comes from snug meaning 'comfortable' or 'warm' plus the small-action ending -le, so it literally meant 'to make snug'. So, snuggling now means getting close and cozy with someone to feel warm and safe.