Meaning & use
canoodles
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“canoodles” is a form of “canoodle”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitiveinformalold-fashioned
kisses and holds someone in a loving, playful way
Grammar: No object; often used with with: canoodles with someone.
Patterns
- canoodles with someone
- canoodles together
The young couple canoodles on the park bench every afternoon.
He canoodles with his girlfriend in the back row of the cinema.
They canoodles in the kitchen while the soup simmers.
verbintransitiveinformaldisapproving
shows affection in a way that is too public or embarrassing to others
Grammar: No object; often used in progressive forms: are canoodling.
Patterns
- canoodles in public
- canoodles in front of someone
Stop canoodles in front of the children!
They were canoodles at the party, and everyone felt awkward.
He canoodles in public without noticing the stares.
Word forms
| base form | canoodle |
|---|---|
| third person singular | canoodles |
| past tense | canoodled |
| past participle | canoodled |
| -ing form | canoodling |
Common combinations
- canoodle with someone
- She canoodles with her partner on the sofa.
- canoodle in public
- They canoodles in public, which embarrasses their friends.
- canoodle together
- The two canoodles together under a blanket.
Synonyms and how they differ
- kiss
- Kiss is neutral and direct; canoodles is more playful and suggests longer, cuddly affection.
- cuddle
- Cuddle focuses on holding warmly, while canoodles often includes kissing and playful touching.
- snog
- Snog is British informal for passionate kissing; canoodles is gentler and less intense.
- make out
- Make out is American informal for kissing; canoodles sounds more old-fashioned and cute.
Word family
- canoodling noun
- the activity of kissing and cuddling playfully
- canoodler noun
- a person who canoodles
Commonly confused: canoodles or cannoodle? canoodles or noodle?
canoodles vs cannoodle
Cannoodle is a misspelling; the correct spelling is canoodle.
canoodles vs noodle
Noodle is a food or a verb meaning to improvise; it is not related to canoodle.
Practice
Which sentence uses canoodles correctly?
Choose one answer.
Canoodles is intransitive and takes with to show the person you are being affectionate with. The other options use the wrong preposition or treat it as transitive.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “canoodles”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.