can·dy
| \ ˈkan-dē
\
\
plural candies
Definition of candy
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: crystallized sugar formed by boiling down sugar syrup
2a
: 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
verb
candied; candying
Definition of candy (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to encrust in or coat with sugar
specifically
: to cook (something, such as fruit or fruit peel) in a heavy syrup until glazed
2
: to make attractive : sweeten
candying up the duke's reputation
3
: to crystallize into sugar
: to become coated or encrusted with sugar crystals : become crystallized into sugar
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Examples of candy in a Sentence
Noun
The cough syrup tastes like candy.
Verb
the publisher hopes the flashy cover will candy up the novel for impulse buyers
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
In an elegant tracking shot that opened the show, Regina King confidently strode through Union Station in downtown Los Angeles as stylish candy-colored credits washed over the screen.
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NBC News, "Oscars 2021: Chloé Zhao, 'Nomadland' make history at wobbly Academy Awards," 25 Apr. 2021
Lovely scenic design, by Andrew Beck and Don Rutley, and eye-popping costumes, designed by Anne Armit — especially the candy-colored pastels of Tinker Bell’s fairy friends.
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Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, "Orlando Ballet’s ‘Peter Pan’ is high-flying fun | Review," 16 Apr. 2021
There’s also a handful of playful prints, from candy-colored stripes on By Far’s patent Rachel shoulder bag to Simon Miller’s floral print lunch bag clutch.
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Madeline Fass, Vogue, "Bright, Beaded, and Bejeweled: 21 Bold Spring Bags to Shop Now," 12 Apr. 2021
Sea turtles, manta rays, dolphins and candy-colored fish are not uncommon to find here.
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USA Today, "Amp up your next road trip by choosing a theme, whether it be whale watching or taco tasting," 5 Apr. 2021
The 1990s and 2000s were a golden age of bold, irreverent and funny Nickelodeon series that stood in stark contrast to the candy-colored and sanitized fare available on Disney Channel.
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Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, "The 40 best TV shows to watch on Paramount+ right now, from 'The Good Fight' to 'The Real World'," 16 Mar. 2021
Cotton candy-colored Tabis were immortalized on the feet of one of the shoe’s most famous loyalists when Glen Luchford snapped a photo of Bjork putting on a pair in 1995.
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Fiorella Valdesolo, WSJ, "10 Cult Fashion Items That Stand the Test of Time," 13 Mar. 2021
Carbs get a negative rap because so many people reach for the wrong ones: refined carbohydrates in white bread, candy, cookies, sugary cereals and all sorts of other treats and drinks.
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Leah Zerbe, Good Housekeeping, "The 15 Healthiest Whole Grains You Should Be Eating," 12 Apr. 2021
That morning, club members gathered at Camp Aldersgate to fill colorful plastic eggs with candy.
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Rachel O'neal, Arkansas Online, "Egg-cellent surprise," 11 Apr. 2021
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The family tradition started five years ago when a neighbor handed the children candy canes to pass out to visitors and someone ended up slipping them a dollar.
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Danielle Wallace, Fox News, "California twins pass out candy canes at neighborhood light display, collect donations for Toys for Tots," 16 Dec. 2020
Bonior says that parents shouldn’t candy-coat the stressful holiday situation for children or act as if things will be fine; instead, own it.
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Vicky Hallett, National Geographic, "Everything’s different this year—so why not holiday stress?," 24 Nov. 2020
Gobstoppers have many colorful layers, but none contain animal products...which making this vegan candy a winner this Halloween.
—
Taylyn Washington-harmon, Health.com, "The 31 Best Vegan Candies—Just in Time for Halloween," 16 Oct. 2020
But the real kill shot is the double-kick easycore breakdown that follows, replete with a Four Year Strong-esque candied synth.
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Eli Enis, EW.com, "Friday Five: Carly Rae Jepsen keeps her fans fed, Kathleen Edwards ends her long hiatus, and more," 22 May 2020
And for dessert: oranges, peeled and segmented and served with yogurt for dipping or cold and candied, after the teachings of Gabrielle Hamilton.
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Sam Sifton, New York Times, "What to Cook This Weekend," 28 Feb. 2020
The menu includes succulent turkey, delicious stuffing, candied sweet and smooth mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, coleslaw, cranberry sauce and rolls – and, of course, your choice of pumpkin, apple or cherry pies and other delicious desserts.
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Sam Boyer, cleveland, "Ken Cleveland Foundation adds funds for building project: Whit & Whimsey," 11 Oct. 2019
For dessert, a dulce de leche panna cotta with chocolate sauce and candied pistachios.
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oregonlive, "Portland’s 33 best $33 dining month menus," 7 Mar. 2020
This messy miracle is a Belgian waffle stuffed with crispy chicken, candied bacon and maple syrup.
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Chris Erskine, latimes.com, "New at Dodger Stadium: spicy Mexican street corn, a decent lobster roll and quinoa salad (what would Babe Ruth say?)," 29 Mar. 2018
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'candy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Learn More about candy
From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
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Last Updated
29 Apr 2021
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Candy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/candy. Accessed 9 May. 2021.
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More Definitions for candy
candy
noun
English Language Learners Definition of candy
US
: a sweet food made with sugar or chocolate
See the full definition for candy in the English Language Learners Dictionary
candy
noun
can·dy
| \ ˈkan-dē
\
\
plural candies
Kids Definition of candy
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a sweet made of sugar often with flavoring and filling
candy
verb
candied; candying
Kids Definition of candy (Entry 2 of 2)
: to coat or become coated with sugar often by cooking
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Time Traveler for candy
The first known use of candy was in the 15th century
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