canoodle

verb

ca·​noo·​dle kə-ˈnü-dᵊl How to pronounce canoodle (audio)
canoodled; canoodling kə-ˈnü-dliŋ How to pronounce canoodle (audio) -ˈnü-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce canoodle (audio) ; canoodles

intransitive verb

informal
: to engage in amorous embracing, caressing, and kissing : pet, fondle
lovers canoodling in the park
… used to sit in the sun porch in the evening, among the geraniums and the begonias, whispering, holding hands, canoodling.Edna O'Brien
… widows in their sixties canoodle and exchange sweet nothings with boys a third of their age.Matthew Gwyther

Did you know?

The Foolish History of Canoodle

The origins of canoodle are obscure. Our best guess is that it may come from an English dialect noun of the same spelling meaning "donkey," "fool," or "foolish lover," which itself may be an alteration of the word noodle, meaning "a foolish person." That noodle, in turn, may come from noddle, a word for the head. The guess seems reasonable given that, since its appearance in the language around the mid-19th century, canoodle has been most often used jocularly for playful public displays of affection by couples who are head over heels in love.

Examples of canoodle in a Sentence

Two lovers were canoodling on a park bench.
Recent Examples on the Web She’s shoved into a carriage with Mary and Sandie, who are canoodling in the corner. Alice Burton, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2024 Not unless we’re faced with a dire situation, which these two are about to be, at which point, canoodling ceases and chill commences. Alice Burton, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2024 The lovebirds spend as much time together as possible, camping, canoodling and encouraging each other in their respective professions. Courtney Howard, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 Stalls selling books and cafes spilling tables and chairs onto the street line the broad pedestrian path where families strolled, couples canoodled, and friends gossiped. Naomi Tomky, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for canoodle 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'canoodle.' 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

perhaps from English dialect canoodle, noun, donkey, fool, foolish lover

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of canoodle was in 1859

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Dictionary Entries Near canoodle

Cite this Entry

“Canoodle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canoodle. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.

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