darling

1 of 2

noun

dar·​ling ˈdär-liŋ 

1

: a dearly loved person

2

: favorite

a director who is the darling of the critics

darling

2 of 2

adjective

1

: dearly loved : favorite

2

: very pleasing : charming

darlingly

ˈdär-liŋ-lē 

adverb

darlingness noun

Synonyms of darling

Noun

• favorite

Adjective

• loved
• beloved
• cherished
• precious
• favorite
• sweet
• dear
• special

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

This keen, curatorial sense is what made Lawson something of a kingmaker in his field, introducing local darlings like Family Farmstead Dairy and Jalapa Jar to the masses. —Mara Weinraub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Nov. 2025

Lauren Ralph Lauren Double-Breasted Wool-Blend Twill Jacket Swift was spotted in a darling peacoat when out to dinner with Gigi Hadid in New York City, and this on-sale option looks similar to her cozy style. —Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 23 Nov. 2025

Adjective

They’re made of pearly shells and are so darling! —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 11 Nov. 2025

This black-and-white photo of Kris with Kendall is positively darling! —Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English derling, from Old English dēorling, from dēore dear

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for darling

• carling
• harling
• marling
• snarling
• sparling
• starling

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Kids Definition

darling

1 of 2 noun

dar·​ling ˈdär-liŋ 

1

: a dearly loved person

2

: favorite entry 1 sense 1

darling

2 of 2 adjective

1

: dearly loved : favorite

2

: very pleasing : charming

Geographical Definition

Darling

geographical name

Dar·​ling ˈdär-liŋ 

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