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She was mother's little darling.
for a while that candidate was the darling of the news media and could do no wrong
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'darling.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The origins of "darling" can be found in the very heart of the English language; its earliest known uses can be traced back to Old English writings from the 9th century. Old English "deorling" was formed by attaching the Old English suffix -ling ("one associated with or marked by a specified quality") with the adjective "dēore," the ancestor of our adjective "dear" ("regarded very affectionately or fondly," "highly valued or esteemed," "beloved"). English speakers appear to have developed a fondness for "darling" and have held on to it for over a thousand years now. And though its spelling has changed over time - including variations such as "dyrling," "derlinge," and "dearling" - "darling" has maintained its original sense of "one dearly loved."
First Known Use: before 12th century
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same yearThis is my darling daughter, Sara.
That dress is just darling.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'darling.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
15th century
agreeable, blessed (also blest), congenial, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, good, grateful, gratifying, heavenly, jolly, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, pretty, satisfying, savory (also savoury), sweet, tasty, welcome;
abominable, ghastly, god-awful, hellish, horrid, miserable, wretched;
disgusting, distasteful, obnoxious, offensive, repellent (also repellant), repugnant, repulsive, unsavory, vile, yucky (also yukky);
abhorrent, detestable, hateful, odious;
depressing, disheartening, dismal, dreary, gloomy, heartbreaking, heartrending, joyless, sad, unhappy;
deplorable, doleful, dolorous, lamentable, lugubrious, mournful, regrettable, sorrowful, tragic (also tragical);
aggravating, annoying, exasperating, irritating, peeving, perturbing, vexing;
angering, enraging, incensing, inflaming (also enflaming), infuriating, maddening, outraging, rankling, riling;
alluring, attractive, desirable, enviable, inviting, relishable, tempting;
charming, enchanting, fascinating;
calming, comforting, soothing;
amusing, diverting, entertaining, recreative;
affable, amiable, cheerful, cheery, comfortable, genial, goodly, good-natured, gracious, hospitable, kindly, personable;
: a person you love very much
: a kind and helpful person
: someone who is liked very much by a person or group
: greatly loved
: very pleasing or attractive
See words that rhyme with darling Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for darling Spanish Central: Translation of darling Nglish: Translation of darling for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of darling for Arabic speakers
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