endearing

1 of 2

adjective

en·​dear·​ing in-ˈdir-iŋ 

en-

: arousing feelings of affection or admiration

an endearing habit/quality

… the character he plays … is one of the most endearing on television …

—Frank Owen

endearingly

in-ˈdir-iŋ-lē 

en-

adverb

an endearingly warmhearted person

endearing

2 of 2

present participle of endear

Synonyms of endearing

Adjective

• adorable
• dear
• sweet

Examples of endearing in a Sentence

Adjective

you have to wonder about people who don't find kittens and puppies endearing

his impish sense of humor is one of his more endearing traits

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The night’s other honoree, representing the art world, was Vija Celmins, who charmed the crowd with a brief yet endearing acceptance speech and in a tribute video produced by LACMA Productions, seen below. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2026

These kinds of collabs were a staple when Jonathan Anderson was at the brand, and Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez seem to be game to keep them coming with the same endearing whimsy. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026

OpenAI’s tools also have similar kinds of blobs with large eyes that might be a little endearing. — Jonquilyn Hill, Vox, 25 Oct. 2026

Something can be helpful and harmful, good and bad, annoying and endearing. — Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1766, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for endearing

• adhering
• appearing
• careering
• cohering
• inhering
• prehearing
• rehearing
• veneering
• bioengineering
• cheering
• clearing
• earing