hug Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a tight or amorous embrace
    squeeze; clinch.
    • come here and give me a big hug
  2. verb squeeze (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
    squeeze; embrace; bosom.
    • Hug me, please
    • They embraced
    • He hugged her close to him
  3. verb fit closely or tightly
    • The dress hugged her hips

WordNet

Hug intransitive verb
Etymology
Prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. sidde paa huk to squat, Sw. huka sig to squat, Icel. hka. Cf. Huckster.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Hugged ; present participle & verbal noun Hugging
Definitions
  1. To cower; to crouch; to curl up. Obs. Palsgrave.
  2. To crowd together; to cuddle. Obs. Shak.
Hug transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To press closely within the arms; to clasp to the bosom; to embrace. "And huggen me in his arms." Shak.
  2. To hold fast; to cling to; to cherish.
    We hug deformities if they bear our names. Glanvill.
  3. (Naut.) To keep close to; as, to hug the land; to hug the wind.
Hug noun
Definitions
  1. A close embrace or clasping with the arms, as in affection or in wrestling. Fuller.

Webster 1913