hug

hug · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To hold someone tightly in one's arms, typically to express affection.

  2. 2.

    To stay close to something; to follow closely along.

  3. 3.

    To hold something close to one's body.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    bear hug — a very tight, enthusiastic hug
  • •
    group hug — a hug involving multiple people at once
  • •
    hug it out — to resolve a conflict through embracing

Related words

Antonyms: push_away, release
See also: cuddle, embrace, hugged, hugging
Synonyms: cuddle, embrace, hold, squeeze

Etymology

From Old Norse hugga ("to comfort, console"), related to hugr ("mind, courage"). The sense of physical embrace developed in English.