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 Web
Rachel Desantis, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
That also means this is the last time this specific group will fight as a team, and the locker room scene before the last match is pretty wholesome: All beefs are set aside, with Demetri and Eli finally apologizing and hugging it out.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
Lily Kepner, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024
The mother and daughter duo shared a sweet hug that was captured in a photo Victoria shared in the same post.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hug 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Her Girls Aloud bandmates Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts were also in attendance as the singer was laid to rest, and both were seen hugging Payne’s ex-bandmate Harry Styles.
—Rachel Desantis, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
That also means this is the last time this specific group will fight as a team, and the locker room scene before the last match is pretty wholesome: All beefs are set aside, with Demetri and Eli finally apologizing and hugging it out.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
Noun
As Wallace spoke to the Statesman at the celebration Friday, nearly every student and staff member who passed her reached over for a hug from the president or a high-five.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024
The mother and daughter duo shared a sweet hug that was captured in a photo Victoria shared in the same post.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hug
Dictionary Entries Near hug
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hug. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share