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
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 28 Nov. 2025
Cook over medium, swirling pan as needed (but not stirring), until mixture is a light amber color and a candy thermometer registers 320℉, 5 to 6 minutes.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2025
Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 1 Dec. 2025
In the post, the Reddit user described how their grandmother had purchased a $130 pre-cooked Thanksgiving meal from a grocery store that included turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, candied yams, and two pies.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for candy
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Noun
The chaise is an appropriate ode to the British candy, combining clean lines with cheerful colorways.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 28 Nov. 2025
Cook over medium, swirling pan as needed (but not stirring), until mixture is a light amber color and a candy thermometer registers 320℉, 5 to 6 minutes.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2025
Verb
Crystallized or candied ginger is ginger that has been cooked in sugar syrup and coated with coarse sugar.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 1 Dec. 2025
In the post, the Reddit user described how their grandmother had purchased a $130 pre-cooked Thanksgiving meal from a grocery store that included turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, candied yams, and two pies.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for candy
Cite this Entry
“Candy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/candy. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.
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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