nuzzle
nuz·zle/ˈnʌz(ə)l/verb, noun
nuzzle is spelled N-U-Z-Z-L-E: 6 letters and 2 syllables (nuz·zle). It appears about once in every 6 million words in written English, the 70,702nd most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a verb, nuzzle means “To push or thrust (the nose or snout, face or muzzle, or head, or an object) against or into something” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in nuzzle?
| Letters | 6: N-U-Z-Z-L-E |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2: nuz·zle |
| In writing | about once in every 6 million words; the 70,702nd most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is nuzzle?
Nuzzle appears about once in every 6 million words in written English, the 70,702nd most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce nuzzle?
- UK /ˈnʌzl̩/
- US /ˈnʌz(ə)l/
- US [ˈnʌzɫ̩]
Nuzzle has 2 syllables, split nuz·zle in writing.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-nuzzle.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of nuzzle
- nuzzles present, singular, he/she/it, plural
- nuzzling participle, present
- nuzzled participle, past, singular, he/she/it, plural
- nosel
- nousel
- nousle
- nowsle
- nusle
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does nuzzle mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
verb
- 1
To push or thrust (the nose or snout, face or muzzle, or head, or an object) against or into something.
- 2
To rub or touch (someone or something) with the nose, face, etc., or an object.
The horse nuzzled its foal’s head gently to wake him up.
- 3
Chiefly of an animal: to dig (something, especially food) out of the ground using the nose or snout; to root.
- 4
Often followed by in or into: to press or push the nose or snout, mouth, face, etc., against or into someone or something; to touch someone or something with the nose or snout, etc.
The bird nuzzled up to the wires of the cage.
- 5
Chiefly of an animal: to push the nose or snout into the ground to dig for something, especially food; to root, to rootle.
- 6
Followed by down: to settle or lie comfortably and snugly in a bed, nest, etc.; to nestle.
- 7
Chiefly followed by up or with: to press affectionately against someone or something; to nestle, to snuggle.
- 8
To come into close contact with someone or something.
- 9
obsoleteOften followed by up or with': to nurture or train (oneself or someone) to act a certain way, have certain beliefs, etc.
- 10
obsoleteTo train (a dog or hawk) to attack prey.
- 11
obsoleteChiefly followed by up: to bring up (someone); to foster, to rear; also, to educate (someone); to train.
- 12
obsoleteTo care for (someone) affectionately; to hold dear (someone); to cherish, to nurse; also, to provide (someone or something) a comfortable and snug place to settle or lie (compare etymology 1, verb etymology 1, verb sense 2.3).
noun
- 1
An act of nuzzling (all verb senses).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Nuzzle in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
In the sense to rub or touch (someone or something) with the nose, face, etc., or an object:
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | fourrer son nez |
| German | hätscheln, schnüffeln, wühlen, liebkosen, sich anschmiegen |
| Spanish | frotar la nariz |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.