hug
Americanverb (used with object)
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to clasp tightly in the arms, especially with affection; embrace.
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to cling firmly or fondly to; cherish.
to hug an opinion.
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to keep close to, as in sailing, walking, or in moving along or alongside of.
to hug the shore;
to hug the road.
verb (used without object)
noun
verb
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(also intr) to clasp (another person or thing) tightly or (of two people) to cling close together; embrace
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to keep close to a shore, kerb, etc
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to cling to (beliefs, etc); cherish
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to congratulate (oneself); be delighted with (oneself)
noun
Other Word Forms
- huggable adjective
- hugger noun
- huggingly adverb
- unhugged adjective
Etymology
Origin of hug
First recorded in 1560–70; perhaps from Old Norse hugga “to soothe, console”; akin to Old English hogian “to care for”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Keita Williams, founder of the career coaching company Success Bully, says she “wants to extend a virtual hug” to you, as she has experienced similar treatment in the workplace.
From MarketWatch
At the end of their visit they also stopped to spend 25 minutes in the heavy rain chatting to well-wishers, with Catherine giving high-fives and hugs and William posing for selfies.
From BBC
On a chilly morning, at a petrol station not far from Culiacán, Pulido and a group of other mothers hugged each other before setting out on a search.
From BBC
Earlier on Wednesday, a red carpet was rolled out at Israel's Ben Gurion airport and Modi was greeted with a hug by Netanyahu as he disembarked the plane.
From Barron's
“Perfect! I’ll take it!” he said, lifting the grandfather clock up in a bear hug.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
