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
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 6 Aug. 2025
In Texas, the ban will cover soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts, while in Louisiana, soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy will be banned.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
Siena Kessler, People.com, 30 July 2025
The palate is smooth and silky, showcasing flavors of orchard and stone fruits, milk chocolate, cinnamon, seasoned oak and candied orange.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for candy
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
There are restaurant workers who, rather than yelling at Souleymane or brushing him aside, offer him a smile, a coffee, a piece of candy.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 6 Aug. 2025
In Texas, the ban will cover soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts, while in Louisiana, soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy will be banned.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
Pair it with the famous Elvis shake, a crazy blend of vanilla, peanut butter, candied bacon and more, and you're all set.
—Siena Kessler, People.com, 30 July 2025
The palate is smooth and silky, showcasing flavors of orchard and stone fruits, milk chocolate, cinnamon, seasoned oak and candied orange.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 23 July 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 21 Aug. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share