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
Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
The vibes only get worse when Carolyn takes a little Schlossberg to get candy from the nice doorman.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
There were two, a candied-kumquat ice cream ($6) and a chocolate pavê with Chantilly cream and almond praline ($15).
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for candy
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Noun
Bagpipers, local Irish organizations, Union members, Irish dance groups and high school marching bands from across the country strolled along, passing out beads, candy and other small things.
—Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
The vibes only get worse when Carolyn takes a little Schlossberg to get candy from the nice doorman.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
Sweet potato casseroles have remained a constant on Thanksgiving sideboards in the South, but candied yams have fallen to the wayside for many.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
There were two, a candied-kumquat ice cream ($6) and a chocolate pavê with Chantilly cream and almond praline ($15).
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 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 17 Mar. 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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