hugged; hugging; hugs
1
a
transitive + intransitive
: to press (someone) tightly in one's arms especially as a sign of affection
They hugged each other before saying goodbye.
We hugged briefly.
b
transitive
: to hold (something) tightly with the arms
She hugged her knees to her chest.
c
transitive
: to wrap one's arms around (oneself)
She was wearing only a wraparound denim skirt over her black bathing suit, and in the chill of approaching evening was hugging herself.—
John Updike
John Updike(figurative) Jerome looked puzzled, or pretended to. In reality he was hugging himself with delight.—Lucy Maud Montgomery
Lucy Maud Montgomery2
transitive
: to stay close to (something)
a road that hugs the river
a boat hugging the shore
clothes that hug your body's curves [=tight-fitting clothes]
3
transitive
: to hold (something) fast : cherish
… hugged his miseries like a sulky child—John Buchan
John Buchan
huggable
adjective
… whenever you get a chance at a reunion to hug someone who looks huggable, do it.
—Mike Deupree
Mike Deupree
hugger
noun
plural huggers
Senior is restrained, the sort of man you lean close to, to hear. Junior is a hugger and kisser, buoyant, vibrant, colorful.
—Rick Reilly
Rick Reilly
plural hugs
: a close embrace with the arms especially as a sign of affection
She gave me a hug.
hugs and kisses
"He was very, very compassionate. Very loving. He always gave you a hug hello and a hug goodbye."—The Salt Lake Tribune
The Salt Lake TribunePeggotty was not slow to respond, and ratify the treaty of friendship by giving me one of her best hugs.—Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Examples of hug in a Sentence
Verb
We hugged briefly, and then it was time to say goodbye.
I hugged my knees to my chest.
The road hugs the river.
The boat hugged the shore.
Recent Examples on the WebRachel Ramirez, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
While most women were dressed to the nines in staid, conservative gowns, the former TV journalist rocked a body hugging, corset-style number.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024
On Thursday's episode, Ronnie had hugged the other female cast members but not Sammi, who didn't seem receptive to one from him.
—Chris Jordan, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
The mine will also hug the North Country Trail, which extends roughly 4,800 miles from North Dakota to Vermont.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
So, spend this day hugging your sibling, taking them out for ice cream or maybe watching your favorite movie together.
—Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
The Times’ Lila Seidman has a wonderful story about a 300-mile pathway through the world’s tallest trees, hugging the Pacific coast, being planned along a former railway.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Just over the room’s fireplace was the campaign’s hero image—Gray in tousled bedsheets, covered only by a pair of Frame denim jeans hugged to her chest (a creative choice Torstensson, who also shot the campaign, credited entirely to Gray).
—Jamila Stewart, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
The songs swell and retreat, like a forgiving tide, to make room for uncertainty to hug tolerance.
—Margaret Farrell, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2024
Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
Her brother shuffles from around the counter in the shop's back kitchen and pulls her in for a tight hug.
—Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 2 Apr. 2024
Narrating the captivating story of Frozen is Olaf, the lovable snowman who likes warm hugs and all things summer.
—Esther Piccolino, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024
This five pack of high-waisted underwear from Kindred Bravely feels like a hug for your uterus.
—Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024
Each forkful is like a hearty hug, begging you to go back for more.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024
Flaming Moe's'' is a crucial addition to The Simpsons' liquor canon, with a Cheers parody that includes a sobering theme song (''Where liquor in a mug/Can warm you like a hug'').
—EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024
Suggestions include frequent cuddles and hugs, having a person the child is close to nearby to keep their routine as normal as possible, and using allowing the child to see a parent in the hospital in real time via video, phone or other technological means.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024
Homme embraced Grohl in a strong hug at the end of his appearance.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
The vast 1,300-acre site hugged the banks of the Schuylkill River on the southern part of the city, where heavy industry has been prominent since the 1860s.
—Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
While most women were dressed to the nines in staid, conservative gowns, the former TV journalist rocked a body hugging, corset-style number.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024
On Thursday's episode, Ronnie had hugged the other female cast members but not Sammi, who didn't seem receptive to one from him.
—Chris Jordan, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
The mine will also hug the North Country Trail, which extends roughly 4,800 miles from North Dakota to Vermont.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
So, spend this day hugging your sibling, taking them out for ice cream or maybe watching your favorite movie together.
—Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
The Times’ Lila Seidman has a wonderful story about a 300-mile pathway through the world’s tallest trees, hugging the Pacific coast, being planned along a former railway.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Just over the room’s fireplace was the campaign’s hero image—Gray in tousled bedsheets, covered only by a pair of Frame denim jeans hugged to her chest (a creative choice Torstensson, who also shot the campaign, credited entirely to Gray).
—Jamila Stewart, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
The songs swell and retreat, like a forgiving tide, to make room for uncertainty to hug tolerance.
—Margaret Farrell, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2024
Noun
In a video originally shared by Yahoo Sports, the college basketball star is seen exchanging a hug with Sudeikis.
—Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
Her brother shuffles from around the counter in the shop's back kitchen and pulls her in for a tight hug.
—Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 2 Apr. 2024
Narrating the captivating story of Frozen is Olaf, the lovable snowman who likes warm hugs and all things summer.
—Esther Piccolino, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024
This five pack of high-waisted underwear from Kindred Bravely feels like a hug for your uterus.
—Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024
Each forkful is like a hearty hug, begging you to go back for more.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024
Flaming Moe's'' is a crucial addition to The Simpsons' liquor canon, with a Cheers parody that includes a sobering theme song (''Where liquor in a mug/Can warm you like a hug'').
—EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024
Suggestions include frequent cuddles and hugs, having a person the child is close to nearby to keep their routine as normal as possible, and using allowing the child to see a parent in the hospital in real time via video, phone or other technological means.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024
Homme embraced Grohl in a strong hug at the end of his appearance.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hug.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near hug
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hug. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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