snug

1 of 3

verb

ˈsnəg 

snugged; snugging

intransitive verb

: snuggle, nestle

snug down for bed

transitive verb

1

: to cause to fit closely

2

: to make snug

3

: hide sense 1

4

: to secure by fastening or lashing down

snug

2 of 3

adjective

snugger; snuggest

1

a

of a ship : manifesting seaworthiness : taut

b

: trim, neat

c

: fitting closely and comfortably

a snug coat

2

a

: enjoying or affording warm secure shelter or cover and opportunity for ease and contentment

a snug cottage

a snug haven

b

: marked by cordiality and secure privacy

3

: affording a degree of comfort and ease

a snug income

4

: offering safe concealment

a snug hideout

snug adverb

snugly adverb

snugness noun

snug

3 of 3

noun

British

: a small private room or compartment in a pub

Synonyms

Verb

• curl up
• nestle
• snuggle

Adjective

• antiseptic
• bandbox
• crisp
• groomed
• kempt
• neat
• orderly
• picked up
• prim
• shipshape
• smug
• tidied
• tidy
• trig
• trim
• uncluttered
• well-groomed

Choose the Right Synonym for snug

comfortable, cozy, snug, easy, restful mean enjoying or providing a position of contentment and security.

comfortable applies to anything that encourages serenity, well-being, or complacency as well as physical ease.

started feeling comfortable in our new surroundings

cozy suggests warmth, shelter, assured ease, and friendliness.

a cozy neighborhood coffee shop

snug suggests having just enough space for comfort and safety but no more.

a snug little cottage

easy implies relief from or absence of anything likely to cause discomfort or constraint.

living in easy circumstances

restful applies to whatever induces or contributes to rest or relaxation.

a quiet restful vacation

Examples of snug in a Sentence

Verb

the farmhand snugged down in the hay and proceeded to go to sleep

Adjective

The shoes were too snug.

These jeans are snug around the hips.

We were snug in the cabin.

She felt snug under the warm blanket.

The children were snug in their beds.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Move off-road, and an adaptive air suspension can hoist the R1S to a Hummer-esque 37.8 centimeters of ground clearance, enough for leisurely dips in 1.1-meter-deep water; its 149-kWh battery snugged in carbon fiber, aluminum and high-strength steel. —IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2025

Our job was to stretch and snug the uppers to the bottom of the lasts. —Heshel Rolnick, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Slingbacks are snug and secure thanks to the strap that wraps around the ankle, and this pair has an adjustable buckle for an even better fit. —Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025

If that’s your goal, be sure to prioritize warmth by choosing insulating fabrics, double-layered styles, and a snug, air-trapping fit. —Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2025

Noun

In the central snug, a working fireplace is joined by a bar, wine cellar, and humidor. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 16 Jan. 2025

But at Nora Mac’s, these snugs — large, private booths that fit 10-12 people — are for everybody. —Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish snygg tidy

Noun

short for snuggery

First Known Use

Verb

1583, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Adjective

circa 1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1860, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

snug

1 of 2 verb

ˈsnəg 

snugged; snugging

1

: to settle or lie down : snuggle

2

: to make snug

snug

2 of 2 adjective

snugger; snuggest

1

a

: seaworthy

b

: trim entry 2, neat

c

: fitting closely and comfortably

a snug coat

2

: enjoying or providing warm secure shelter and comfort : cozy

a snug cottage

3

: fairly large

a snug fortune

4

: offering safe concealment

a snug harbor

snug adverb

snugly adverb

snugness noun