hug

5 definitions • 14 examples

to hold someone close to your body with your arms, usually to show that you like, love, or value them:

Have you hugged your child today?

They hugged each other when they met at the station.

hug someone/something tightly Emily hugged her teddy bear tightly to her chest.

hug your knees She sat on the floor hugging her knees (= with her knees bent up against her chest and her arms around them).

hug something to someone Whenever I travel in the city I make sure I hug my handbag tightly to me.

to stay very close to something or someone:

The road hugs the coast for several miles, then turns inland.

This type of car will hug (= not slide on) the road, even in the wettest conditions.

a figure-hugging dress

to keep something that makes you feel better or pleases you private or secret:

hug something to yourself I hugged the idea to myself all through dinner.

the act of holding someone or something close to your body with your arms:

give someone a big hug Come here and give me a big hug.

hugs and kisses We always exchange hugs and kisses when we meet.

to hold someone or something close to your body with your arms, esp. to show affection:

[ T ] Maria hugged her dog.

[ T ] As the verdict of not guilty was announced, he leaped up and hugged his lawyer.

[ T ] fig. Some fish hug (= stay close to) the bottom of the lake.