Meaning & use
cradling hands
Last updated
Meanings
phrase
Hands that are holding someone or something gently and protectively.
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase, often after 'with' or as the subject: 'Her cradling hands held the bird.'
Patterns
- with cradling hands
- cradling hands around something
- hold something in cradling hands
She picked up the injured bird with cradling hands.
His cradling hands supported the tiny puppy.
The mother held the baby in her cradling hands.
phraseliterary
Hands positioned as if to hold or support something gently.
Grammar: Describes the shape or position of hands, often in art or medical contexts.
Patterns
- hands cradling something
- cradling hands position
The sculpture shows a figure with cradling hands.
He sat with cradling hands, as if protecting something invisible.
Common combinations
- with cradling hands
- She held the kitten with cradling hands.
- cradling hands around a cup
- He warmed his fingers, cradling hands around the mug.
- gentle cradling hands
- The nurse's gentle cradling hands comforted the patient.
Synonyms and how they differ
- cupped hands
- Hands shaped like a cup to hold something; 'cradling' suggests more gentle, protective support.
- supporting hands
- Hands that hold something up; less emotional than 'cradling'.
Word family
Commonly confused: cradling hands or cradling?
cradling hands vs cradling
As a verb form, 'cradling' means holding gently; 'cradling hands' is the noun phrase.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'cradling hands' most naturally?
Choose one answer.
'Cradling hands' describes hands that hold something gently. Only option 1 shows that gentle holding. The others use actions that do not fit the meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cradling hands”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.