darling — a person who is loved or cherished; used as a term of endearment
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a person who is loved or cherished; used as a term of endearment
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdɑːrlɪŋ/
Example Sentences
- Could you be a darling and pass me the remote?
- My grandmother thinks every cat in the neighborhood is absolutely darling.
- Darling, you forgot to put on pants again!
darling
NOUN[/ˈdɑːrlɪŋ/]
a person who is loved or cherished; used as a term of endearment

beloved person, term of endearment

A starling becomes her darling
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Old English 'deorling', combining 'deore' (precious, dear) with the diminutive suffix '-ling' (small one). Originally used to denote a beloved or cherished small person or creature.
Breakdown
deore (dear, precious) + -ling (small one, diminutive suffix). The suffix '-ling' traditionally forms diminutives, creating a term for something small and beloved.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Could you be a darling and pass me the remote?”
“My grandmother thinks every cat in the neighborhood is absolutely darling.”
“Darling, you forgot to put on pants again!”
“She's such a darling - she always helps her neighbors.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.