snug

[ snuhg ]

adjective

, snug·ger, snug·gest.

1. warmly comfortable or cozy, as a place, accommodations, etc.:

   a snug little house.

2. fitting closely, as a garment:

   a snug jacket.

3. more or less compact or limited in size, and sheltered or warm:

   a snug harbor.

4. trim, neat, or compactly arranged, as a ship or its parts.

   Synonyms: orderly, ordered, tidy

5. comfortably circumstanced, as persons.
6. pleasant or agreeable, especially in a small, exclusive way:

   a snug coterie of writers.

   Synonyms: cozy, intimate

7. enabling one to live in comfort:

   a snug fortune.

8. secret; concealed; well-hidden:

   a snug hideout.

verb (used without object)

, snugged, snug·ging.

1. to lie closely or comfortably; nestle.

   Synonyms: snuggle, cuddle

verb (used with object)

, snugged, snug·ging.

1. to make snug.

   Synonyms: tidy, arrange, settle

2. Nautical. to prepare for a storm by taking in sail, lashing deck gear, etc. (usually followed by down ).

   Synonyms: secure

adverb

1. in a snug manner:

   The shirt fit snug around the neck.

noun

1. British. a small, secluded room in a tavern, as for private parties.

snug

/ snʌɡ /

adjective

1. comfortably warm and well-protected; cosy

   the children were snug in bed during the blizzard

2. small but comfortable

   a snug cottage

3. well-ordered; compact

   a snug boat

4. sheltered and secure

   a snug anchorage

5. fitting closely and comfortably
6. offering safe concealment

noun

1. (in Britain and Ireland) one of the bars in certain pubs, offering intimate seating for only a few persons
2. engineering a small peg under the head of a bolt engaging with a slot in the bolted component to prevent the bolt turning when the nut is tightened

verb

1. to make or become comfortable and warm
2. tr nautical to make (a vessel) ready for a storm by lashing down gear

Derived Forms

• ˈsnugness, noun
• ˈsnugly, adverb

Other Words From

• snug·ly adverb
• snug·ness noun
• un·snug adjective
• un·snug·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of snug¹

First recorded in 1575–85; perhaps from Old Norse snøggr “short-haired”; cognate with Swedish snygg “neat”

Word History and Origins

Origin of snug¹

C16 (in the sense: prepared for storms (used of a ship)): related to Old Icelandic snöggr short-haired, Swedish snygg tidy, Low German snögger smart

Example Sentences

A self-described “eco-glamping” site, this zen setup offers a snug canvas tent, a composting toilet, and a solar-powered shower.

From Outside Online

Made from 100 percent wool, they are hand-knit, fleece-lined with non-slip bottoms and snug, non-slouch fit.

From Popular-Science

Buy nowBuilt-in stretch allows you to snug these tie-downs without tightening them so much that you crush or break whatever you’re securing.

From Outside Online

Apple says you have to keep the watch snug on your wrist for accurate readings, and I found that wasn’t always the case for my background readings.

From Fortune

A hardshell compartment will keep your sunglasses and cell phone snug and safe.

From Popular-Science

We sit in the snug upstairs, drinking red wine and avoiding the storms raging outside.

From The Daily Beast

It was a few weeks before Christmas but not all creatures were snug in bed.

From The Daily Beast

Eating turkey and pie in their home districts, no doubt, snug by the fire as visions of spending cuts dance in their heads.

From The Daily Beast

If only Jimmy Fallon would jump in to issue a challenge over whose pants are more snug.

From The Daily Beast

It was a dark and stormy night, and the idea of leaving my post-Irene snug house to head to my bookstore had no appeal.

From The Daily Beast

Little Jack Charmington, her husband, had a snug four hundred a year of his own, which quite sufficed for his modest needs.

From Project Gutenberg

The roof and sides of this snug retreat were also entirely covered with the uncouth figures I have already described.

From Project Gutenberg

It was delightfully wooded scenery through which we passed, and a snug little spot where we lunched.

From Project Gutenberg

Went to work in my own way; was a countryman just come into a snug bit of inheritance, looking out for a corner of land.

From Project Gutenberg

He made quite a snug fortune out of the cavaliers and roundheads by predicting for both parties.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• comfortable
• comfy
• cushy
• neat
• tight