Candy

/ˈkændi/

Meaning & Definition

noun
a sweet food made with sugar or syrup combined with fruit, nuts, or chocolate.
I bought a bag of assorted candy for the party.
a confection that is often enjoyed as a treat or dessert.
Children eagerly lined up for candy after the Halloween parade.
a term of endearment or a sweet person.
She called him her 'little candy' when he did something cute.
verb
to coat or prepare food in sugar or syrup.
They decided to candy the ginger for the holiday recipe.

Etymology

From Middle English 'candi', derived from French 'candy', from Arabic 'qand' meaning sugar.

Common Phrases and Expressions

eye candy
Someone or something that is attractive or appealing to look at.
candy-coated
Something that is superficially attractive but may lack substance.
pop candy
A type of candy that is effervescent or fizzy.

Related Words

chocolate
A sweet food made from roasted and ground cacao seeds, usually eaten as a candy.
gummy
A type of candy that has a chewy texture.
marshmallow
A soft, sweet candy made from sugar, water, and gelatin.

Slang Meanings

Something very attractive or desirable.
That new car is pure candy!
A term for drugs, especially when referring to their appeal.
He got caught dealing candy on the street.