noun

darling

DAH-lihng

noun

A term of affection for someone very dear to the speaker.

""Good morning, darling," she said, kissing him on the cheek."

"He called his granddaughter his little darling."

Someone or something especially popular or favoured by a particular group.

"The young director quickly became the darling of the film festival circuit."

adj

Much loved; adorable or charming.

"What a darling little cottage this is."

How to Use Darling

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word Forms

more darling comparative, darlinger comparative, darlinged past tense, darlings plural, darlings singular, most darling superlative, darlingest superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

"Good morning, _____," she said, kissing him on the cheek.

Etymology

From Old English deorling, built from deore ("dear") plus a diminutive suffix — literally something like "little dear one."

Rhymes for darling

starling snarling

See all rhymes for darling →