nuzzle

verb

nuz·​zle ˈnə-zəl How to pronounce nuzzle (audio)
nuzzled; nuzzling ˈnəz-liŋ How to pronounce nuzzle (audio)
ˈnə-zə-

intransitive verb

1
: to work with or as if with the nose
especially : to root, rub, or snuff something
2
: to lie close or snug

transitive verb

1
: to root, rub, or touch with or as if with the nose
2
: to rub or push gently against something
nuzzled her face against the cushion

Examples of nuzzle in a Sentence

The dog nuzzled my leg. He nuzzled into her neck.
Recent Examples on the Web The second image shows Gaga using her nose to nuzzle Phoenix's through a pair of prison bars — seemingly marking the second time Gaga's nose has taken center stage in a major motion picture, after Bradley Cooper memorably traced his hand down her face at the beginning of 2018's A Star Is Born. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 14 Feb. 2024 Budweiser led the way: Who can object to a Labrador nuzzling a Clydesdale? Alan Murray, Fortune, 12 Feb. 2024 Sports Plaschke: Wrong-way columnist makes his Super Bowl LVIII pick, and the winner will be... Feb. 9, 2024 Swift was posing for a picture with Ed, and nuzzled up to him. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2024 Video taken by the crew showed one of the killer whales appeared to be nuzzling the rudder; another video showed one of them running its nose into the hull. Jimmy Golen, Anchorage Daily News, 24 June 2023 But as more cats surrounded Mayer, nuzzling and licking each other, the more Cooper couldn’t hold it together. Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 1 Jan. 2024 As part of a Make-A-Wish program with Keeneland, Cody was introduced to the then unnamed horse as a foal, who first nuzzled the boy’s hand before putting his head in his lap. John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2023 In the video posted by ESPN on Instagram but taken by Jessica Camille, the dad of three nuzzled his daughter's face, who in turn leaned away from him and pulled a playful scared expression. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 18 Dec. 2023 Hendrix, with his soft white coat and brown spots, would lay his head on her lap and nuzzle her. William Wan, Washington Post, 27 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nuzzle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English noselen to bring the nose toward the ground, from nose

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nuzzle was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near nuzzle

Cite this Entry

“Nuzzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nuzzle. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nuzzle

verb
nuz·​zle ˈnəz-əl How to pronounce nuzzle (audio)
nuzzled; nuzzling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce nuzzle (audio)
1
: to push or rub with the nose
2
: to lie close : nestle

More from Merriam-Webster on nuzzle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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