How to Pronounce Hug

To pronounce "hug", say HUG — one syllable, IPA /hʌɡ/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

hug

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

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Syllable

Letters

/hʌɡ/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “hug”

"hug" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with snug and smug, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: hugg — easy to mix up when writing.

What does hug mean?

noun

A close embrace, especially when charged with such an emotion as represented by: affection, joy, relief, lust, anger, agression, compassion, and the like, as opposed to being characterized by formality, equivocation or ambivalence (a half-embrace or "little hug").
A particular grip in wrestling.

verb

To crouch; huddle as with cold.
To cling closely together.

Synonyms

cleave stick hunker squat stoop accoll coll embrace

Hear “hug” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with hug

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

snug smug slug bug plug jug tug sprig mug humbug firebug drug

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "hug"?▾

"Hug" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "hug"?▾

The IPA transcription of "hug" is /hʌɡ/.

What does "hug" mean?▾

Hug: A close embrace, especially when charged with such an emotion as represented by: affection, joy, relief, lust, anger, agression, compassion, and the like, as opposed to being characterized by formality, equivocation or ambivalence (a half-embrace or "little hug").

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