darling

noun

dar·ling | \ˈdär-liŋ

Definition of darling

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a dearly loved person

2 : favorite a director who is the darling of the critics

darling

adjective

Definition of darling (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : dearly loved : favorite

2 : very pleasing : charming

Darling

geographical name

Dar·ling | \ˈdär-liŋ

Definition of Darling (Entry 3 of 3)

river 1702 miles (2738 kilometers) long in southeastern Australia in Queensland and New South Wales flowing southwest into the Murray River

Other Words from darling Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about darling

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Did You Know?

Noun

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."

Examples of darling in a Sentence

Noun

She was mother's little darling. for a while that candidate was the darling of the news media and could do no wrong

Adjective

This is my darling daughter, Sara. That dress is just darling.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Public Enemy Number One,’ or Paul Manafort, political operative & Reagan/Dole darling, now serving solitary confinement - although convicted of nothing? — Aruna Viswanatha And Del Quentin Wilber, WSJ, "Vendors Testify of Manafort’s High-End Purchases Paid by Overseas Wire Transfers," 1 Aug. 2018 Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD oil has recently become a wellness-world darling, popping up in everything from mascara to bath bombs. — Melissa Malamut, Bon Appetit, "CBD Coffee Is the Wellness World's New Favorite Drink," 28 May 2018 After having a slight meltdown, the little darling goes straight into planning mode. — Diana Bruk, Country Living, ""Beauty and the Beast" Superfan Has the Best Reaction After Being Told She's Seeing the Movie Early," 28 Mar. 2017 Dezeen Open plan offices, once the darling of design, are now showing their fault lines. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Panasonic designed human blinders to block out open-plan office distraction," 18 Oct. 2018 Will and Grace was once an Emmys darling, with all of its stars winning Emmys over its original eight-season run. — Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, "Emmy Nominations Snubs: 'Modern Family,' 'Orange Is the New Black' Shut Out in Major Categories," 12 July 2018 The 49ers, an offseason darling, will open the season against the Vikings and Lions without their rising star linebacker. — Jacob Feldman, SI.com, "Reuben Foster Headlines the NFL's Week in Suspensions," 6 July 2018 Another social media darling, a swimming hole called Three Pools in Oregon’s Santiam River, is constantly overrun with visitors. — Robert Earle Howells, SFChronicle.com, "Should we hide the locations of Earth’s greatest trees?," 3 July 2018 Netflix, the media-streaming darling of a different kind, is able to keep its programming expenses locked down as its user base grows. — Aric Jenkins, Fortune, "Spotify: Nevermind Profits," 30 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Across the way is the most darling wood-burning stove—plus solar, water, battery, and load meters. — Taysha Murtaugh, Country Living, "Just Wait Until You See the Inside of This Horse Truck-Turned-Tiny Home," 4 May 2017

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.