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
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
The organizations have a goal of collecting 500 bags of candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters during the celebration.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Oct. 2025
Take inspiration from Magnolia Table’s Baked Oatmeal by adding a dash of maple syrup and some candied pecans to your usual breakfast for extra flavor.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for candy
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Noun
Here are 15 new horror flicks to watch in prep for handing out candy and getting dressed up.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
The organizations have a goal of collecting 500 bags of candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters during the celebration.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
We were not provided a sample to try yet, but the official tasting notes describe sweet cinnamon toast, fruit nougat, and candied nuts on the nose.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Oct. 2025
Take inspiration from Magnolia Table’s Baked Oatmeal by adding a dash of maple syrup and some candied pecans to your usual breakfast for extra flavor.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 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 3 Oct. 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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