sweet·heart
ˈswēt-ˌhärt 
plural sweethearts
1
a
—used as a term of endearment
Jin-Ho's mother said, "The binky is all gone, sweetheart," but Xiu-Mei wouldn't hush.—
Anne Tyler
Anne Tyler
b
—used as an informal term of address
As the nurse prepared her shot, Grace sat on her mother's lap. … "This won't take two seconds," the nurse said. "My name's Nina. What's your name, sweetheart?"—Bonnie Washuk
Bonnie WashukChuck Tranium is the president of a talent agency, where he wears alligator shirts and calls his secretaries "sweetheart."—Lucinda Franks
Lucinda Franks2
: someone who is loved
often, specifically
: a romantic partner
… a music studio manager who plans to wed her college sweetheart this fall. —Jennifer Oldham
Jennifer Oldham 3
: favorite entry 1 sense 1
It only makes sense that Vogue would choose America's sweetheart Jennifer Lawrence to grace the cover of its 125th September issue.—Andrea Park
Andrea ParkHeck, Mike Wallace isn't everybody's sweetheart either but he certainly contributes a lot to the success of 60 Minutes.—Don Merrill
Don Merrill4
: a generally likable person
Some customers are total sweethearts. Others require a tremendous amount of hand-holding, follow-up service, and support.—Paul B. Brown
Paul B. Brown
especially
: one who is kind and gentle
Most important, she often stays a few minutes to chat. … "She's a real sweetheart," an … elderly woman tells me. "What would I do without her?" —Chris Jerome
Chris Jerome It was often through this task—which he approached with a blend of gentle, down-to-earth humor and humility—that he gained the respect and adoration of many agents. It was common to be approached at trade shows by agents saying, "Tell Matt he is such a sweetheart." —Kenneth Shapiro
Kenneth Shapiro 5
: a remarkable one of its kind
The Camaro was a sweetheart except for its Wiesmann gearbox, which had me thoroughly befuddled.—Car and Driver
Car and Driversee also sweetheart deal
: of or relating to an agreement between an employer and a labor union official arranged privately for their benefit usually at the expense of the workers
a sweetheart contract
broadly
: arranged in private for the benefit of a few at the expense of many
a sweetheart deal
Synonyms
Examples of sweetheart in a Sentence
Noun
Be a sweetheart and help your grandmother.
She is such a little sweetheart.
Recent Examples on the WebEscher Walcott, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
Clark is our national sweetheart at least by media nomination and the Girl Next Door (albeit in an all-white neighborhood).
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024
Aside from a great setting for long walks on the beach, this small community hosts interesting events like Jazz on the Beach and Sunday Farmers Markets—grab some provisions for an epic beach picnic for you and your sweetheart.
—Cynthia J Drake, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2024
In 2019, Corben was plunged into a painful divorce to her college sweetheart and husband of 23 years.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024
The high school sweethearts tied the knot in 2022 after first starting dating in 2012.
—Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
The Chapman University graduate married her college sweetheart.
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024
High school sweethearts at Apollo High School in Owensboro, the duo met through marching band.
—Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 21 Mar. 2024
Marissa and Mike Mitchell, of Newburgh, Ind., met in seventh grade and became sweethearts.
—Louise Rafkin, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024
Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 31 Jan. 2024
But meanwhile, the European Commission is pressing on with its campaign against sweetheart corporate tax deals.
—David Meyer, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2020
In exchange for a sweetheart deal, the company will bring tens of thousands of high-paying jobs and spend $5 billion in capital expenditures.
—Alex Shephard, New Republic, 19 Jan. 2018
Noun
The childhood sweethearts tied the knot in March 2022.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
Clark is our national sweetheart at least by media nomination and the Girl Next Door (albeit in an all-white neighborhood).
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024
Aside from a great setting for long walks on the beach, this small community hosts interesting events like Jazz on the Beach and Sunday Farmers Markets—grab some provisions for an epic beach picnic for you and your sweetheart.
—Cynthia J Drake, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2024
In 2019, Corben was plunged into a painful divorce to her college sweetheart and husband of 23 years.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024
The high school sweethearts tied the knot in 2022 after first starting dating in 2012.
—Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
The Chapman University graduate married her college sweetheart.
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024
High school sweethearts at Apollo High School in Owensboro, the duo met through marching band.
—Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 21 Mar. 2024
Marissa and Mike Mitchell, of Newburgh, Ind., met in seventh grade and became sweethearts.
—Louise Rafkin, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024
Adjective
This romantic shade is perfect for a sweetheart French manicure.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 31 Jan. 2024
But meanwhile, the European Commission is pressing on with its campaign against sweetheart corporate tax deals.
—David Meyer, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2020
In exchange for a sweetheart deal, the company will bring tens of thousands of high-paying jobs and spend $5 billion in capital expenditures.
—Alex Shephard, New Republic, 19 Jan. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sweetheart.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sweetheart
Cite this Entry
“Sweetheart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweetheart. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share