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

Brisk autumn air and pops of color in the surrounding hills make the scene even more endearing. — Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026

Rhys says of his character Tom Loftis, the comically endearing mayor of the town. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026

At the high point of Clark and Floyd’s bromance — which is to say, before the fall — the men break into a perfectly, cringily endearing rehearsed rap. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026

The jokers Toth and Jackson, bless them, keep things endearing and funny. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 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