hug

hugverb

1. hold in your armsput your arms around someone and hold them close, to show love or friendship

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj]

   • She hugged her son when he came home. V + obj
   • They hugged and said goodbye.
   • The little boy hugged his teddy bear. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + adverb hug tightly, hug warmly

   verb + noun hug each other, hug a friend

   verb + preposition hug someone to you

   Synonyms embrace

2. stay close tostay very close to something as you move along it

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • The road hugs the coast for several miles. V + obj
   • The boat hugged the shore to stay out of the wind. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun hug the coast, hug the shore, hug the wall