side hug
One-armed friendly squeeze
A side hug is an embrace where two people stand side by side and wrap one arm around each other's shoulders or waist, rather than facing and embracing fully.
It's common in casual greetings, group photos, and situations where a full hug might feel too intimate: He gave her a side hug and kept walking.
The term sometimes carries connotations of awkwardness or deliberate physical distance, especially in contexts where fuller affection might be expected or where religious or social codes discourage closer contact.
Expression of welcome
- casualRelaxed and informal
- friendlyShowing kindness, warmth
- informalRelaxed, not official
- briefShort in duration
public · polite · appropriate · professional · church · workplace · acquaintance · colleague
Hold closely in arms
- warmthHeat you feel
- closenessState of proximity
- fondnessWarm liking or affection
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
bonding · caring · platonic · gentle · squeeze · connection · endearment · reassuring
Giving solace to another
- supportiveOffering help and reassurance
- reassuringRestoring calm or confidence
- sympatheticFeeling others' emotions
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
encouraging · protective · understanding · empathetic · shoulder · leaning · grieving · tearful
Not easily bent
- hesitantSlow to act
- uncomfortableCausing unease or distress
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
- clumsyLacking physical coordination
nervous · tentative · unwanted · obligatory · perfunctory · half-hearted · distant · restrained
greeting
Expression of welcome
brief · public · polite · appropriate · professional · church · workplace · acquaintance · colleague · boundary
embrace
Hold closely in arms
tenderness · bonding · caring · platonic · gentle · squeeze · connection · endearment · reassuring · supportive
consoling
Giving solace to another
- supportiveOffering help and reassurance
- reassuringRestoring calm or confidence
- sympatheticFeeling others' emotions
soothing · encouraging · protective · understanding · empathetic · shoulder · leaning · grieving · tearful · vulnerable
stiff
Not easily bent
- hesitantSlow to act
- uncomfortableCausing unease or distress
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
clumsy · nervous · tentative · unwanted · obligatory · perfunctory · half-hearted · distant · restrained · rigid
side hugbear hug
Tight, enveloping embrace
tight hug · passionate embrace · squeeze · clinch · cuddle
side, hug, sides, sided, siding, sideway, sideways, sidelong, alongside