darling
DAH-lihng
Darling (noun) means a term of affection for someone very dear to the speaker. Example: “Thank you for the lovely card, darling, I will keep it forever.”
noun
1
A term of affection for someone very dear to the speaker.
"Thank you for the lovely card, darling, I will keep it forever."
""Good morning, darling," she said, kissing him on the cheek."
"He called his granddaughter his little darling."
2
Someone or something especially popular or favoured by a particular group.
"This cafe has become the darling of local food bloggers."
"The young striker is the darling of the home crowd."
"The young director quickly became the darling of the film festival circuit."
adj
1
Much loved; adorable or charming.
"She wore a darling little hat with a ribbon on it."
"That is a darling puppy, with those floppy ears!"
"What a darling little cottage this is."
How to use darling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA warm, affectionate word — either a pet name for someone you love, or a description of someone/something that a group has taken a shine to.
When to use it
As a term of address, "darling" is common in British English between partners, family members, and among some theatrical or fashion circles; it can sound old-fashioned or overly familiar elsewhere.
Common pairings
hello, darling
media darling
darling of the crowd
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like darling.
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
- darlings
- Third person singular
- darlings
- Past tense
- darlinged
- Comparative
- more darling, darlinger
- Superlative
- most darling, darlingest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Thank you for the lovely card, _____, I will keep it forever.
Etymology
From Old English deorling, built from deore ("dear") plus a diminutive suffix — literally something like "little dear one."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for darling
See all rhymes for darling →Frequently asked questions
What does “darling” mean?
The word “darling” means a term of affection for someone very dear to the speaker. In plain terms, a warm, affectionate word — either a pet name for someone you love, or a description of someone/something that a group has taken a shine to.
How do you pronounce “darling”?
“Darling” is pronounced DAH-lihng (/ˈdɑɹlɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “darling” in a sentence?
Here is “darling” used in a sentence: “"Good morning, darling," she said, kissing him on the cheek.”
What part of speech is “darling”?
Depending on how it is used, “darling” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “darling” come from?
The word “darling” comes from Old English. From Old English deorling, built from deore ("dear") plus a diminutive suffix — literally something like "little dear one.".
Is “darling” a common word?
“Darling” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “darling” have?
“Darling” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a term of affection for someone very dear to the speaker.
Is it rude or condescending to call someone darling?
It depends on the relationship and the region. Between partners, family, or close friends, darling is a warm term of affection, and in parts of Britain it is a casual, friendly form of address even for strangers. From a stranger or in a professional setting, however, it can come across as overly familiar or patronizing.
What is the difference between darling and dear?
Both are terms of affection for someone dear to the speaker, but darling is generally the stronger and more intimate of the two. Dear also has wider uses, such as opening letters ("Dear Sir") and, in British English, meaning expensive. As a direct form of address, darling tends to sound more affectionate or theatrical than dear.
Is darling formal or informal?
Darling is informal and intimate. It belongs in personal speech and writing between people who are close, not in formal or professional contexts. In business settings, pet names such as darling are generally considered inappropriate.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include darling:
