# cuddle

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈkʌd.l̩/ · frequency rank #17,114

## Definitions
1. An intimate physical embrace, typically while lying (or sitting): a snuggle, an instance of lying together snugly, as one might with a partner (more intimate than a hug, and typically of longer duration).
2. An affectionate embrace, a hug, such as is given to family members and close friends (less intimate than a snuggle, and typically of shorter duration).

## Etymology
Origin uncertain, but probably from a frequentative form of Middle English *cudden, cuththen, keththen (“to embrace”), a variant of cuthen, kuthen, kithen (“to be familiar with, make known”), from Middle English cuth, couth (“known, familiar”), equivalent to couth + -le. Cognate with Middle Dutch kudden (“to come together, flock together”). More at couth.

## Easily confused with
- **cuddly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cuddle-vs-cuddly)
- **candle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/candle-vs-cuddle)
- **cradle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cradle-vs-cuddle)
- **caddie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/caddie-vs-cuddle)

## Common misspellings (7)
`ccuddle`, `cdudle`, `cuddel`, `cuddlle`, `cudlde`, `cudle`, `ucddle`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/cuddle