candy

noun

can·​dy ˈkan-dē 

plural candies

1

: crystallized sugar formed by boiling down sugar syrup

2

a

: a confection made with sugar and often flavoring and filling

b

: a piece of such confection

3

: something that is pleasant or appealing in a light or frivolous way

visual candy

candy adjective

Examples of candy in a Sentence

The cough syrup tastes like candy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Children carry their money down to the candy store by themselves. —Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2026

Center in the Square also has a candy shop, an arcade, and a pinball museum, all enjoyed by kids and adults alike. —Julekha Dash, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026

Inside, customers will find the usual convenience store staples, snacks, candy, bottled water and energy drinks. —Conor McGill, CBS News, 6 June 2026

From the train windows, expect to spot the aquamarine waves of Ligurian Sea crashing against the stony coast, candy-colored houses huddled together on the hillsides, tiny wooden boats gliding through village harbors, and flecks of golden-sand beaches. —Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sugre candy, partial translation of Middle French sucre candi, from Old French sucre sugar + Arabic qandī candied, from qand crystallized sugar

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing candy

• arm candy
• candy apple
• candy cane
• candy-coat
• candy-coated
• candy floss
• candy-striped
• candy striper
• cotton candy
• ear candy
• eye candy
• hard candy
• penny candy
• rock candy

Rhymes for candy

• bandy
• brandy
• dandy
• grandee
• randy
• shandy

Kids Definition

candy

1 of 2 noun

can·​dy ˈkan-dē 

plural candies

: a sweet made of sugar often with flavoring and filling

candy

2 of 2 verb

candied; candying

: to coat or become coated with sugar

especially : to cook (fruit or fruit peel) in sugar syrup