Words / B2

HUDL/ˈhʌdl/

To huddle is to crowd close together, often for warmth or safety; as a noun, a small close group: huddle together; a huddle of tents. Cluster and crowd are close twins; nestle is gentler. Protesters huddled from the rain; still quote the police crowd figure. Mix-up: huddle vs hurdle (next but one); cuddle. Do not write huddle for a spread-out queue with gaps in the photo.

Meaning

To crowd close together, often for warmth or safety; as a noun, a small close group.

Examples

• “Protesters huddled from the rain, the reporter noted; still quote the police crowd figure.”
• “A huddle of tents featured on the OS extract, which is the noun sense.”

Good to know

huddle together / round; huddle from the rain; a huddle of. Close: cluster / crowd. Trap: hurdle / cuddle. News, geography, and literature. Crowd close together, or that small group.

Near in meaning

cluster, crowd, nestle

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