huddle

[ huhd-l ]

verb (used without object)

, hud·dled, hud·dling.

1. to gather or crowd together in a close mass.
2. to crouch, curl up, or draw oneself together.
3. Football. to get together in a huddle.
4. to confer or consult; meet to discuss, exchange ideas, or make a decision.

verb (used with object)

, hud·dled, hud·dling.

1. to heap or crowd together closely.
2. to draw (oneself ) closely together, as in crouching; nestle (often followed by up ).
3. Chiefly British. to do hastily and carelessly (often followed by up, over, or together ).
4. to put on (clothes) with careless haste (often followed by on ).

noun

1. a closely gathered group, mass, or heap; bunch.
2. Football. a gathering of the offensive team in a close circle or line behind the line of scrimmage for instructions, signals, etc., from the team captain or quarterback, usually held before each offensive play.
3. a conference, or consultation, especially a private meeting to discuss serious matters:

   The labor representatives have been in a huddle for two hours.

4. confusion or disorder.

huddle

/ ˈhʌdəl /

noun

1. a heaped or crowded mass of people or things
2. informal.
   a private or impromptu conference (esp in the phrase go into a huddle )

verb

1. to crowd or cause to crowd or nestle closely together
2. often foll by up to draw or hunch (oneself), as through cold
3. informal.
   intr to meet and confer privately
4. tr to do (something) in a careless way
5. rare.
   tr to put on (clothes) hurriedly

Derived Forms

• ˈhuddler, noun

Other Words From

• huddler noun
• huddling·ly adverb
• un·huddle verb (used with object) unhuddled unhuddling

Word History and Origins

Origin of huddle¹

1570–80; hud- (weak grade of root found in hide ¹ ) + -le; replacing Middle English hoder, equivalent to hod- (variant hud- ) + -er -er ⁶

Word History and Origins

Origin of huddle¹

C16: of uncertain origin; compare Middle English hoderen to wrap up

Idioms and Phrases

see go into a huddle .

Example Sentences

“It’s fun, but it’s not like we get in the huddle and it’s like, ‘Oh, look.

From Los Angeles Times

Chinese tourists huddle together against the brisk autumn breeze on a 12-storey building, vying for the best spot to photograph the point where their country meets Russia and North Korea.

From BBC

In an open-air, bustling café in Nasr City in Cairo, dozens of newly arrived refugees huddle in small groups, puffing on hookahs, sharing stories about their homeland.

From BBC

“It was a little choice route inside for Cooper, but to be honest with you, something in the huddle before the snap I’m like, ‘Hey, D-Rob, be live on this,’” Stafford said.

From Los Angeles Times

After playing for Harbaugh at Michigan, reuniting with his college coach in L.A. and getting to join their chorus of “no-body” in the huddle felt like returning to a familiar football family.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cluster
• confer
• consult
• converge
• crouch
• cuddle
• curl up
• gather
• snuggle