cuddle

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a close and affectionate (and often prolonged) embrace
  2. verb move or arrange oneself in a comfortable and cozy position
  3. verb hold (a person or thing) close, as for affection, comfort, or warmth

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.

In classic literature

Synonyms

nestle, snuggle

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