noun
Uncommon
sweetie
SWEE-tee
Sweetie (noun) means an affectionate term for someone dearly loved. Example: “Come here, sweetie, let me help you with that.”
noun
1
An affectionate term for someone dearly loved.
"Come here, sweetie, let me help you with that."
"Thanks for the lovely card, sweetie, it made my whole day."
2
British informal term for a piece of candy.
"She bought a bag of sweeties at the corner shop."
"The children emptied their pockets of sweeties after the school trip."
"Grandad always keeps a jar of sweeties on the kitchen shelf."
How to use sweetie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA term of affection, or (mainly in British English) a piece of candy.
UK vs US
In the UK, "sweetie" or "sweets" commonly means candy; Americans would usually just say "candy."
Common pairings
hi, sweetie
a bag of sweeties
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Word forms
- Plural
- sweeties
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Come here, _____, let me help you with that.
Etymology
From "sweet" plus the diminutive ending "-ie."
Related words
Rhymes for sweetie
See all rhymes for sweetie →Frequently asked questions
What does “sweetie” mean?
The word “sweetie” means an affectionate term for someone dearly loved. In plain terms, a term of affection, or (mainly in British English) a piece of candy.
How do you pronounce “sweetie”?
“Sweetie” is pronounced SWEE-tee (/ˈswi.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “sweetie” in a sentence?
Here is “sweetie” used in a sentence: “Come here, sweetie, let me help you with that.”
What part of speech is “sweetie”?
“Sweetie” is a noun.
Is “sweetie” a common word?
“Sweetie” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sweetie” have?
“Sweetie” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an affectionate term for someone dearly loved.
What is the difference between sweetie and sweets in British English?
Sweetie is an affectionate term for someone dearly loved, or in British informal usage, a single piece of candy. Sweets, on the other hand, is the more general British informal term for candy or confectionery as a category. Sweetie tends to refer to one piece or is used as a term of endearment, while sweets refers to the confectionery in general.
Is sweetie used the same way in British and American English?
Sweetie is commonly used in both varieties as an affectionate term for a loved one. However, its use to mean a piece of candy is specifically British informal usage, and American English speakers would more likely say candy instead.
Is sweetie a formal or informal word?
Sweetie is informal in both of its senses, whether used as an affectionate term for someone dearly loved or as a British informal word for a piece of candy. It is not used in formal writing or professional contexts.
