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
candied; candying
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
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
Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2026
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters The law bans several synthetic dyes, including Red 40 and Yellow 5, from most K-12 school meals and vending machines, while also restricting SNAP recipients from using benefits to buy products such as soda and candy.
—Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 20 June 2026
Patricia S York, Southern Living, 17 June 2026
There will also be concession stands offering both free and premium snacks such as popcorn, soft pretzels and candied warm nuts, plus a dedicated game-day food menu from hotel restaurant Proper Grit.
—Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for candy
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Noun
Wander through shops and art galleries downtown and pop into a candy shop for saltwater taffy made on-site.
—Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2026
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters The law bans several synthetic dyes, including Red 40 and Yellow 5, from most K-12 school meals and vending machines, while also restricting SNAP recipients from using benefits to buy products such as soda and candy.
—Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 20 June 2026
Verb
This is probably closest to bacon candy or candied bacon.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 17 June 2026
There will also be concession stands offering both free and premium snacks such as popcorn, soft pretzels and candied warm nuts, plus a dedicated game-day food menu from hotel restaurant Proper Grit.
—Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for candy
Cite this Entry
“Candy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/candy. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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