Meaning & use
canoodling
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“canoodling” is a form of “canoodle”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
verbintransitiveinformalhumorous
Kissing and cuddling in a loving, playful way, usually in a way others can see.
Grammar: No object; usually in the continuous form: they were canoodling on the sofa.
Patterns
- canoodle with someone
- canoodle in a place
The couple were canoodling on a bench in the park.
Magazines reported that the actors were canoodling at a party.
Teenagers were canoodling at the back of the bus.
Word forms
| base form | canoodle |
|---|---|
| third person singular | canoodles |
| past tense | canoodled |
| past participle | canoodled |
| -ing form | canoodling |
Common combinations
- caught canoodling
- The couple were caught canoodling in a restaurant.
- canoodling in public
- Some people dislike couples canoodling in public.
- canoodling with
- The singer was spotted canoodling with a famous chef.
- canoodling on the sofa
- I walked in and found them canoodling on the sofa.
Synonyms and how they differ
- cuddling
- Cuddling is the plain, general word for holding someone close, and does not suggest romance or an audience.
- snogging
- Snogging is British slang for long kissing and is more direct than canoodling.
- necking
- Necking is old-fashioned and refers to kissing and caressing, usually by teenagers.
- smooching
- Smooching stresses kissing and has a playful tone similar to canoodling.
Word family
- canoodle verb
- to kiss and cuddle playfully
- canoodler noun
- a person who canoodles, rare and humorous
- canoodled verb
- past tense of canoodle
Commonly confused: canoodling or noodle?
canoodling vs noodle
A noodle is a strip of pasta; the sound of canoodle may remind you of it, but the words are unrelated.
Practice
Tabloids reported that the two stars were ______ on the beach, hugging and kissing.
Choose one answer.
Canoodling means kissing and cuddling playfully; negotiating, jogging and arguing do not match hugging and kissing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “canoodling”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.