Gigil

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A fervent desire to pinch or squeeze something viewed as charming
2. An intense impulse to squeeze or pinch something because it appears adorably charming
3. A strong feeling of wanting to tightly grasp or cuddle something perceived as irresistibly sweet

Etymology: Tagalog, the main language of the Philippines, gave English "gigil," a noun for the almost overwhelming urge to squeeze something you find adorable. Its first appearance in the Oxford English Dictionary came with the March 2025 update, which added a batch of words from around the world, so it is a very recent arrival in English dictionaries. The Tagalog word is the core of the story. Filipino speakers use it for that rush of feeling when something small, soft, or cute is almost too much to bear, and the natural physical response is to squeeze or hug it. English had no single word for this impulse, which is why the borrowing fills a gap rather than duplicating an existing term.

Synonyms: urge, frenzy, intensity, excitement, thrill