honey

1 of 3

noun

hon·​ey ˈhə-nē How to pronounce honey (audio)
plural honeys
1
a
: a sweet viscid material elaborated out of the nectar of flowers in the honey sac of various bees
b
: a sweet fluid resembling honey that is collected or elaborated by various insects
2
a
: a loved one : sweetheart, dear
b
: a superlative example
3
: the quality or state of being sweet : sweetness
4
: an attractive woman

honey

2 of 3

verb

honeyed also honied ˈhə-nēd How to pronounce honey (audio) ; honeying

transitive verb

1
: to sweeten with or as if with honey
2
: to speak ingratiatingly to : flatter

intransitive verb

: to use blandishments or cajolery

honey

3 of 3

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or resembling honey
2
: much loved : dear

Examples of honey in a Sentence

Noun She likes honey in her tea. Your car is a real honey. Verb she knew that the hairstylist was honeying her for a reason—the expectation of a generous tip
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Some of its unique flavors include notes of chili, lemon, orange blossom, and wildflower honey. Jenifer Calle, Glamour, 2 Dec. 2024 This blend of cinnamon, apple cake, wild berries, clove and honey is truly intoxicating without being overly-cloying. Bea McMonagle, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
Verb
Those harmonies — simultaneously honeyed and gravelly, providing just enough support without overshadowing, yet so powerful and full of potential — echoes Whitten. Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2024 Enjoy flavored nuts, such as those that are candied, glazed, or honied, in moderation. Selene Yeager, Health, 24 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Talley is not exactly honey-colored, but choosing a euphemistic description for the color of black skin has long been a way to make blackness less black to white people. New York Times, 15 May 2020 Her naturally jet-black hair colour appears to be dyed a soft, honey blonde in the clip. Aimee Simeon, refinery29.com, 2 Apr. 2020 See all Example Sentences for honey 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English hony, from Old English hunig; akin to Old High German honag honey, and probably to Sanskrit kāñcana gold, Latin canicae bran

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of honey was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near honey

Cite this Entry

“Honey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honey. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

honey

noun
hon·​ey
ˈhən-ē
plural honeys
1
: a thick sugary material prepared by bees from the nectar of flowers and stored by them in a honeycomb for food
2
a
: sweetheart, dear
often used as a term of affection
b
: something very good
a honey of a play
3
: the quality or state of being sweet
honey adjective

Medical Definition

honey

noun
hon·​ey ˈhən-ē How to pronounce honey (audio)
plural honeys
1
: a sweet viscid material elaborated out of the nectar of flowers in the honey sac of various bees
2
: any of various preparations consisting of simple mixtures of medicaments with honey
honey adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on honey

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