hygge

1 of 2

noun

hyg·​ge ˈhyü-gə How to pronounce hygge (audio) ˈhü- How to pronounce hygge (audio) ˈhu̇- How to pronounce hygge (audio)
: a cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable
During the long, dark winters when Danes retreat inside their homes, hygge is what brings them a great sense of comfort and joy.—Mary Holland
"I believe now—in the midst of this pandemic—is the perfect time for people to embody hygge by focusing on the present moment, spending quality time with people who make them happy, and ultimately finding peace," [Christine] Christensen said in an email.—Courtney Kueppers
And after the recent trend of cozy, comforting hygge, there's another Scandinavian state of mind to embrace.—Leanne Italie

hygge

2 of 2

adjective

: invoking or fostering a sense of coziness, contentment, and well-being
… a hygge Christmas dinner setting needs only essential tableware, beloved family ornaments and a few tasteful sprigs of greenery.—Francesca Brown
To live the hygge way, focus on friendship, wholesomeness, and happiness.—Hannah Bruneman
"… people are at home all the time. People will realize cozy is better than stark. It's all about the hygge trend."—Jonathan Adler

Examples of hygge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Happy Hygge Gifts Hygge Gift Box $47 Surround them with a little warmth and hygge with this soothing gift box, which comes complete with a soft fleece throw blanket, their beverage of choice (hot chocolate or chai tea, anyone?), a reusable tumbler, a chocolate bar, and a wooden ornament. —Malia Griggs, SELF, 21 Nov. 2024 Located in the main square of the town, the property epitomizes hygge with a cozy vibe that’s impossible to resist. —Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Pop it in the living room and throw a cozy knit blanket over top for major hygge vibes. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 9 Oct. 2024 To make their Switch sessions even more relaxing, gamers are decking their rooms out with cute, functional pieces (think hygge, but on another level). —Sarah Felbin, SELF, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hygge 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Danish, "comfort, coziness," borrowed from Norwegian hygge (Bokmål), hyggje (Nynorsk), probably noun derivative of hygge (Bokmål), hyggje (Nynorsk) "to make comfortable," also regionally "to notice, understand, take care of, be fond of," going back to an Old Norwegian equivalent of Old Icelandic hyggja "to think, believe," going back to Germanic *hugjan- (whence also Old English hycgan "to think, meditate, consider," Old Frisian hugia "to be recalled," Old Saxon huggian "to think [of], be mindful of, consider, plan," Old High German huggen "to think, have in mind, be mindful of," Gothic hugjan "to be of a [specified] state of mind"), noun derivative of *hugi- "mind" (whence Old English hyge "mind, thought, intention," Old Frisian hei "mind," Old Saxon hugi "thought, mind, intention," Old High German hugu "mind, understanding," Old Norse hugr "mind, heart, wish," Gothic hugs "mind"), of uncertain origin

Adjective

from attributive use of hygge entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1960, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hygge was in 1960

Dictionary Entries Near hygge

hygeist

hygge

hygiene

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Hygge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hygge. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

hygge

hyg·​ge
ˈhyü-gə,
ˈhü-,
ˈhu̇-
: a cozy quality that makes one feel content and comfortable
hygge adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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