candy
KAN-dee
Candy (noun) means Sweet confectionery made mainly from sugar, often flavored with chocolate, fruit, or nuts. Example: “The corner shop sells every kind of candy a child could want.”
noun
1
Sweet confectionery made mainly from sugar, often flavored with chocolate, fruit, or nuts.
"The corner shop sells every kind of candy a child could want."
"The kids traded candy from their trick-or-treat bags."
"He kept a bowl of candy on his desk for visitors."
2
Slang for crack cocaine.
"The film depicted the devastating effects of "candy" on the neighborhood."
verb
1
To coat or cook something in sugar syrup until it hardens.
"First you candy the ginger slowly in a pan of thick syrup."
"My grandmother candied cherries every winter for the Christmas cake."
"She candied the orange peel for the cake decoration."
How to use candy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSweets, or to coat something in sugar.
UK vs US
Americans say "candy" for what the British usually call "sweets."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
piece of candy
candy store
candied fruit
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like candy.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- candies
- Third person singular
- candies
- Past tense
- candied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The corner shop sells every kind of _____ a child could want.
Etymology
From Old French sucre candi, "candied sugar," ultimately traced back through Arabic and Persian to a Sanskrit word for a piece of sugar.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for candy
See all rhymes for candy →Frequently asked questions
What does “candy” mean?
The word “candy” means sweet confectionery made mainly from sugar, often flavored with chocolate, fruit, or nuts. In plain terms, sweets, or to coat something in sugar.
How do you pronounce “candy”?
“Candy” is pronounced KAN-dee (/ˈkæn.di/ in IPA).
How do you use “candy” in a sentence?
Here is “candy” used in a sentence: “The kids traded candy from their trick-or-treat bags.”
What is another word for “candy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “candy” include confectionery, sweets, lollies and sugar candy.
What part of speech is “candy”?
Depending on how it is used, “candy” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “candy” come from?
The word “candy” comes from Old French. From Old French sucre candi, "candied sugar," ultimately traced back through Arabic and Persian to a Sanskrit word for a piece of sugar.
Is “candy” a common word?
“Candy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “candy” have?
“Candy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: sweet confectionery made mainly from sugar, often flavored with chocolate, fruit, or nuts.
What is the difference between "candy" and "chocolate"?
Candy is a broad term for sweet confectionery made mainly from sugar, and it can include hard sweets, gummies, and chocolate. Chocolate is one specific type of candy made from cacao, so all chocolate can be called candy but not all candy is chocolate.
Is "candy" used in British or American English?
Candy is the standard word in American English, while British English usually says "sweets." A British speaker might call a single item a sweet, whereas an American would call it a piece of candy.
Is "candy" countable or uncountable?
Candy is usually uncountable when referring to sweets in general, as in "too much candy." To count individual pieces, English speakers say "a piece of candy" or "some candies" rather than "a candy."
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include candy:
