sweet nothings

plural noun

: loving and romantic words
Lyrics were essentially the proverbial sweet nothings, honeyed and aged by the mellowing chambers of [Barry] White's throat and soul.Mike Tribby
The two spent the entire night in a VIP booth cuddling, kissing and whispering sweet nothings into each other's ears.Hollywood Life (online)

Examples of sweet nothings in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston play the gothic patriarch and matriarch roles with unmatched passion, whispering sweet nothings in the moonlight (many related to death). Lee Escobedo, EW.com, 7 Oct. 2024 The occupants of a table for two in the middle of the patio whisper sweet nothings to each other and smile widely. Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2024 Other sweet nothings, like the hitman’s chummy relationship with an always parentless child (Oscar Coleman) at the hotel, also prove too simple as the movie keeps returning to them. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 25 Jan. 2024 Will the game’s live-service focus screw with players’ enjoyment and try to whisper sweet nothings about microtransactions at every turn? Aaron Zimmerman, Ars Technica, 30 May 2023 He’s become truly adept at these breezy earworms laced with sweet nothings, and this is directly in that lineage. Heran Mamo, Billboard, 29 June 2023 Though immortalized in art, literature and song, and cherished by lovers who whisper sweet nothings or tearfully part on the privacy of its banks, the river was ecologically dying. John Leicester, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2023 Their reunion was similarly strewn with sweet nothings, kissing, and declaration of love, with Serene predicting an engagement. oregonlive, 31 Oct. 2022 Dark robot vocals whisper sweet nothings into your ear, guiding you toward the light-up dance floor of your dreams. Katie Bain, Billboard, 11 June 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sweet nothings.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sweet nothings was in 1829

Dictionary Entries Near sweet nothings

Cite this Entry

“Sweet nothings.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweet%20nothings. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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