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 WebMithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 26 June 2024
At the end of the night, friends new and old hugged goodbye with fresh stains on their The Row, grabbing snow cones for the road as the temperature outside finally began to cool.
—Amanda Randone, Vogue, 26 June 2024
Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2024
However, the popularity of viral videos showing these hugs has inspired people to buy or make their own shirts and signs that offer free hugs, even without a connection to the organization.
—Stephanie Kasulka, Parents, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for hug 
Verb
Assange hugged his wife Stella after arriving in Canberra on Wednesday.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 26 June 2024
At the end of the night, friends new and old hugged goodbye with fresh stains on their The Row, grabbing snow cones for the road as the temperature outside finally began to cool.
—Amanda Randone, Vogue, 26 June 2024
Noun
Teammate Donovan Clingan, who offered a hug as Castle walked to meet NBA commissioner Adam Silver on stage, was also picked in the lottery on Wednesday night, seventh overall to the Portland Trail Blazers.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2024
However, the popularity of viral videos showing these hugs has inspired people to buy or make their own shirts and signs that offer free hugs, even without a connection to the organization.
—Stephanie Kasulka, Parents, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for hug
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hug.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near hug
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hug. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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