Meaning & use
snuggled in
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
Lying or sitting in a warm, comfortable position, pressed close to someone or under covers.
Grammar: Used after a linking verb such as be: 'The children were snuggled in.' It describes a state, not an action in progress.
Patterns
- be snuggled in bed
- be snuggled in a blanket
- be snuggled in next to someone
The baby was snuggled in her blanket and fast asleep.
We were snuggled in on the sofa while the snow fell outside.
By nine o'clock he was snuggled in bed with a book.
phrasefixed phrase
Having settled into a warm, sheltered place in order to feel safe or relaxed.
Grammar: Often followed by a place phrase with 'in' or 'under': 'snuggled in bed', 'snuggled under the quilt'.
Patterns
- snuggled in bed
- snuggled in a chair
- snuggled under something
She got snuggled in under the quilt before the film started.
The cat was snuggled in a basket near the fire.
They snuggled in together to keep warm on the cold night.
Word forms
| base form | snuggle in |
|---|---|
| third person singular | snuggles in |
| past tense | snuggled in |
| past participle | snuggled in |
| -ing form | snuggling in |
Common combinations
- snuggled in bed
- The children were snuggled in bed by eight.
- snuggled in a blanket
- She sat snuggled in a blanket by the window.
- snuggled in close
- He snuggled in close to his mother on the bench.
- snuggled in together
- The puppies were snuggled in together for warmth.
- snuggled in under the covers
- I was snuggled in under the covers when the alarm rang.
Synonyms and how they differ
- curled up
- Focuses on the body being folded into a rounded shape, while 'snuggled in' stresses warmth and closeness to someone or something.
- nestled
- More often used for things in a sheltered position, such as a village in hills, and sounds slightly literary for people in bed.
- cuddled up
- Very close in meaning, but it usually suggests holding or being held by another person rather than just being warm under covers.
Word family
Commonly confused: snuggled in or snug? snuggled in or cuddled?
snuggled in vs snug
'Snug' is an adjective meaning warm and comfortable, while 'snuggled in' describes a person or animal already in that cozy position.
snuggled in vs cuddled
'Cuddled' usually means held in someone's arms, but 'snuggled in' can simply mean warm and settled under covers, even alone.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'snuggled in' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Snuggled in bed' describes being warm and comfortable under covers, which fits the sentence. Option An is wrong because walking to a bus stop is not a cozy, settled position; options C and D use the phrase with unsuitable activities.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “snuggled in”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.