1. Affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)
   "The couple engaged in gentle hugging while watching a movie";
   - caressing, cuddling, fondling, kissing, necking, petting, snuggling, first base [US, informal]

1. Hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
   "Hug me, please"; "He hugged her close to him";
   - embrace, bosom, squeeze
    
2. Fit closely or tightly
   "The dress hugged her hips"
    
3. Stay close to
   "the road hugged the shore"

Derived forms: huggings

Type of: adjoin, arousal, clasp, contact, foreplay, meet, stimulation, touch

Encyclopedia: Hugging