endearment

noun en·dear·ment \ in-ˈdir-mənt \

|Updated on: 13 May 2018

Examples: endearment in a Sentence

Definition of endearment

1 : a word or an act (such as a caress) expressing affection

2 : the act or process of endearing

See endearment defined for English-language learners

See endearment defined for kids

Examples of endearment in a Sentence

two lovers whispering endearments to each other

Recent Examples of endearment from the Web

Raised in a life of privilege on the Upper East Side across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Kennedy went to great lengths to live as any other New Yorker, much to the endearment of the city's denizens.

— glynnis macnicol, Town & Country, "Who Was Carolyn Bessette Kennedy?," 3 Aug. 2016
One term of endearment to one group could be a form of incredible shame and abuse to another.

— john brandon, Fox News, "Mark Zuckerberg says AI cannot stop online abuse yet, but experts beg to differ," 23 Apr. 2018
As far as how my look came to be called dewy dumpling, dumpling has always been my term of endearment, the same way people use sweetheart or cupcake.

— kathleen hou, The Cut, "How to Get the New Dewy Dumpling Glow," 23 Apr. 2018
The Enforcer,’’ a term of endearment bestowed by her family.

— BostonGlobe.com, "George H.W. Bush says to ‘cross the Bushes off your worry list’ following Barbara’s death," 18 Apr. 2018
The winter of their semi-discontent launched Miller's lifetime reputation as America's ultimate, responsibility-free ski bum — a term of sheer endearment to fans.

— author: ron judd, Anchorage Daily News, "Pioneering, inspiring snow-sports filmmaker Warren Miller, 93, dies at Washington state home," 25 Jan. 2018
The winter of their semi-discontent launched Miller's lifetime reputation as America's ultimate, responsibility-free ski bum -- a term of sheer endearment to fans.

— the seattle times, OregonLive.com, "Warren Miller, pioneering snow-sports filmmaker, dies at 93," 25 Jan. 2018
My daughter is a little girl who regards her father with pure awe and adoration; calling him Daddy is a term of endearment that reflects that.

— michelle ruiz, Vogue, "Can Grown Women Please Cool It With All This “Daddy” Talk?," 19 Sep. 2017
Need grandmothers to participate in an improv engagement, which will help spread Mother's Day cheer through hugs, high fives and other gestures of endearment.

— evelyn wang, Esquire, "A Start-Up Is Dispatching Grandmas to Hug You This Mother's Day," 6 May 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'endearment.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of endearment

1610

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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ENDEARMENT Defined for English Language Learners

endearment

noun

Definition of endearment for English Language Learners

: a word or phrase that shows love or affection

ENDEARMENT Defined for Kids

endearment

noun en·dear·ment \ in-ˈdir-mənt \

Definition of endearment for Students

: a word or an act that shows love or affection

Learn More about endearment

Spanish Central: Translation of endearment Nglish: Translation of endearment for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of endearment for Arabic speakers

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endearment

Definition of endearment

Examples of endearment in a Sentence

Recent Examples of endearment from the Web

First Known Use of endearment

ENDEARMENT Defined for English Language Learners

endearment

Definition of endearment for English Language Learners

ENDEARMENT Defined for Kids

endearment

Definition of endearment for Students

Learn More about endearment

Seen and Heard

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Examples of endearment in a Sentence

Recent Examples of endearment from the Web

First Known Use of endearment

ENDEARMENT Defined for English Language Learners

endearment

Definition of endearment for English Language Learners

ENDEARMENT Defined for Kids

endearment

Definition of endearment for Students

Learn More about endearment

Seen and Heard

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