Origin uncertain, but probably from a frequentative form of Middle English *cudden, cuththen, keththen (“to embrace”), a variant of cuthen, kuthen, kithen (“to be familiar with, make known”), from Middle English cuth, couth (“known, familiar”), equivalent to couth + -le. Cognate with Middle Dutch kudden (“to come together, flock together”). More at couth.
Meanings
(US) An intimate physical embrace, typically while lying (or sitting): a snuggle, an instance of lying together snugly, as one might with a partner (more intimate than a hug, and typically of longer duration).
I'm so impatient / I can't stand the wait / When will I get my cuddle? 1995, “I Miss You”, in Post, performed by Björk:
(UK) An affectionate embrace, a hug, such as is given to family members and close friends (less intimate than a snuggle, and typically of shorter duration).
Origin uncertain, but probably from a frequentative form of Middle English *cudden, cuththen, keththen (“to embrace”), a variant of cuthen, kuthen, kithen (“to be familiar with, make known”), from Middle English cuth, couth (“known, familiar”), equivalent to couth + -le. Cognate with Middle Dutch kudden (“to come together, flock together”). More at couth.
Meanings
(US, intransitive, transitive) To lie together snugly (with someone), in an intimate physical embrace; to snuggle.
The young lovers cuddled on the couch.
(UK, intransitive, transitive) To embrace (someone) affectionately; to hug (someone) closely.
(transitive) To cradle (e.g. a baby) in one's arms so as to give comfort, warmth.
She cuddled the infant before bedtime.
I'm cold; can you roll over here and cuddle me, honey?
To lie close or snug; to crouch; to nestle.
She cuddles low behind the brake; / Nor would she stay, nor dares she fly. 1717, Matthew Prior, The Dove:
de knuddeln (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · nl knuffelen (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · da knuse (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · it cullare (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · ru обня́ться (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · da putte (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · cs objímat se (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · ca acaronar (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · bg притискам се (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · hu összebújik (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · nl knuffelen (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · fr câliner (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · es acorrucarse (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · es apurruñar (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · hy գգվել (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · tr kucaklaşmak (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · es acurrucarse (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · pl przytulać się (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · cmn 依偎 (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · ru прижа́ться (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · zh 輕輕地抱著 (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · ru жа́ться (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · ja 寄り添う (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · ru прижима́ться (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · pl przytulić się (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · da kæle (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · cmn 摟抱 /搂抱 (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · sv vänslas (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · es apurruñarse (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · cs chovat (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · pl przytulać (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · eo brakumadi (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · es apapachar (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · es hacer arrumacos (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · hu átölel (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · es achuchar (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · sv gosa (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · bg прегръщам (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · eo karespremi (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · es amuñuñar (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · cs přitulit se (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · pt acariciar (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · ru обнима́ться (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · eo knufli (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · sh máziti (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · lb kuschelen (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · cs mazlit se (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · pt afagar (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · sv hålla om (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · es entrepiernarse (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · fi halailla (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · vi ôm ấp (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · pt embalar (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · it coccolare (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · cy anwesu (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · cy cofleidio (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · zh 轻轻地抱着 (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · cs tulit se (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · cmn 偎抱 (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · pt acalentar (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · lb knuddelen (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · sv kela (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · cs pochovat (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · he הִתְכַּרְבֵּל (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · pl przytulić (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · de kuscheln (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · bg прегръщам (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · sv gosa (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · pl miziać się (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · eo knufli (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · fr cajoler (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · fi halata (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · sh ма́зити (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · is kúra (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · ka გულში იკრავს (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · id berpelukan (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · cmn 擁抱 /拥抱 (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · es mecer (en brazos) (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · ga deasaigh isteach (intransitive: embrace, lie together snugly) · hu ölel (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · hy գգվել (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · es apapuchar (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · mi rapoi (transitive: cradle in one's arms) · es cariñosear (transitive: cradle in one's arms)