darling

/ˈdɑrlɪŋ/

/ˈdɑlɪŋ/

Other forms: darlings

Use the word darling for someone you love or care for deeply. Your sweet old grandmother probably calls you darling.

You can describe someone as being your darling, or address them that way: "I missed you so much while I was working on that fishing boat, darling!" Another way to use the word is for a generally lovable person: "Everyone adores Timmy, he's such a darling." The Old English root is deorling, a diminutive of deor, "dear."

Definitions of darling

1. noun

   a special loved one
   synonyms: dearie, deary, ducky, favorite, favourite, pet

   types:

   chosen

   one who is the object of choice; who is given preference

   macushla

   (an Irish term of address expressing affection) darling

   mollycoddle

   a pampered darling; an effeminate man

   teacher's pet

   the teacher's favorite student

   type of:

   lover

   a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
2. adjective

   dearly loved
   synonyms: beloved, dear

   loved

   held dear