VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

snuggly or snugly

adverb, adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈsnʌɡli/
US/ˈsnʌɡli/

Meanings

  1. adverb

    In a way that is tight, close, or comfortably warm and protected.

    Grammar: Used to describe how something is done, often after a verb: 'The lid fits snugly.'

    Patterns

    • fit snugly
    • wrap something snugly
    • snugly tucked

    The little house sat snugly in the valley, sheltered from the wind.

    She wrapped the baby snugly in a soft blanket.

    The lid fits so snugly that no air can get in.

  2. adjectivecomparable

    Cozy, warm, and comfortable, often suggesting a feeling of being wrapped up or held close.

    Grammar: Describes a noun: 'a snuggly sweater.' You can say 'snugglier' or 'snuggliest' for more or most cozy.

    Patterns

    • snuggly blanket
    • snuggly sweater
    • feel snuggly

    This snuggly blanket is perfect for cold winter nights.

    The kitten looked so snuggly curled up on the sofa.

    I love wearing my snuggly pajamas on lazy Sundays.

Word forms

comparativesnugglier
superlativesnuggliest

Common combinations

fit snugly
The shoes fit snugly, so they won't slip off.
snuggly blanket
She bought a snuggly blanket for the camping trip.
snugly tucked
The children were snugly tucked into bed.
snuggly warm
After the fire, the room felt snuggly warm.
snugly wrapped
The gift was snugly wrapped in shiny paper.

Synonyms and how they differ

cozily
Similar to 'snugly' when describing warmth and comfort, but 'cozily' focuses more on the feeling of comfort, while 'snugly' often implies a tight fit.
comfortably
Can replace 'snugly' in some contexts, but 'comfortably' is more general and doesn't imply tightness or warmth.
tightly
Similar to 'snugly' when describing a close fit, but 'tightly' suggests more force or pressure, while 'snugly' suggests a secure, pleasant fit.

Opposites

loosely

Word family

snug adjective
Comfortable, warm, and tight; the base word from which 'snugly' and 'snuggly' derive.
snugness noun
The state of being snug; comfort and tightness.
snuggle verb
To lie or press close to someone for warmth or affection.

Commonly confused: snuggly or snugly or snuggly?

snuggly or snugly vs snuggly

Some people use 'snuggly' as an adverb, but standard usage prefers 'snugly' for the adverb and 'snuggly' for the adjective. To avoid confusion, use 'snugly' when you mean 'in a snug way' and 'snuggly' when you mean 'cozy.'

Practice

Choose the correct word: The cat curled up ___ on the soft pillow.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “snuggly or snugly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words