huddle

Everyday

1. To huddle means to crowd close together, usually to keep warm, to feel safe or to talk secretly. tree →
2. To huddle can also mean to curl your body up small: «huddled under a blanket». tree →
3. A huddle is a small, close group of people or animals; in sports, a team huddle is when players gather close to plan. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, emperor penguins huddle together through the freezing Antarctic winter, taking turns on the cold outside. In stories, «huddled» shows cold, fear or secrecy: «the children huddled round the fire». In PE and American football, teams go into a huddle to plan the next play. Phrases: «huddle together», «huddle round», «in a huddle», «huddled up».

Examples

• The penguins huddled together to keep warm. tree →
• We huddled round the campfire and told stories. tree →
• The kittens huddled in a corner of the box. tree →
• The team went into a huddle before the second half. tree →
• She sat huddled under a blanket during the storm. tree →
• The friends huddled in a corner to share a secret. tree →
• Sheep huddle against a wall in heavy snow. tree →

Note

Regular verb: huddled (drop the e, add -d). Often with «together», «round» or «up». Similar: «cuddle» (hug lovingly) — different meaning; «huddle» is about crowding close.