Meaning & use
cuddling
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“cuddling” is a form of “cuddle”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
Present participle of cuddle: holding someone close in a gentle, loving way.
Grammar: Can take an object ('cuddling the baby') or be used alone ('they were cuddling').
Patterns
- cuddle someone
- cuddle with someone
- cuddle up
They were cuddling on the sofa while watching a movie.
She was cuddling her puppy to keep it warm.
The couple spent the evening cuddling by the fire.
noununcountable
The act of holding someone close affectionately.
Grammar: Uncountable when referring to the activity; countable when referring to a single instance ('a cuddle').
Patterns
- a cuddle
- have a cuddle
- give someone a cuddle
Cuddling is a great way to reduce stress.
They had a quiet cuddle before saying goodbye.
The mother gave her child a warm cuddle.
Word forms
| base form | cuddle |
|---|---|
| third person singular | cuddles |
| past tense | cuddled |
| past participle | cuddled |
| -ing form | cuddling |
Common combinations
- cuddle up
- We cuddled up under the blanket.
- cuddle with someone
- She likes to cuddle with her cat.
- a warm cuddle
- He gave his daughter a warm cuddle.
- cuddle together
- The puppies cuddled together for warmth.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
Commonly confused: cuddling or coddling?
cuddling vs coddling
'Coddling' means treating someone too protectively; 'cuddling' means holding them affectionately.
Practice
The kittens were _____ together in a basket to stay warm.
Choose one answer.
'Cuddling' is the -ing form that fits after 'were' to show an ongoing action. 'Coddling' means overprotecting, 'cuddles' is third-person singular, and 'cuddled' is past tense, so none fit the continuous tense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cuddling”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.