taffy

noun taf·fy \ ˈta-fē \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of taffy

plural taffies

1 :a boiled candy usually of sugar, molasses or corn syrup, butter, and often vinegar and vanilla that is pulled until porous and glossy

2 :insincere flattery

See taffy defined for English-language learners

See taffy defined for kids

Examples of taffy in a Sentence

the magazine's profiles of showbiz celebrities tend to be pure taffy

Recent Examples of taffy from the Web

Shops could bottle and sell this place’s trademark fog — alongside smoked salmon and saltwater taffy.

— — leah sottile, Washington Post, "Eclipse moments from across the U.S.: Oregon and Idaho," 21 Aug. 2017
Onstage, the group will stretch those elements out like dark psychedelic taffy.

— milwaukee, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "6 top Milwaukee concerts this week, including Farruko, Kevin Eubanks, Rusted Root," 17 Aug. 2017
At six-foot-three, or eight-foot-nine including the hair, Scarborough looks like Jimmy Neutron in his Lizard King phase or Tucker Carlson after someone put him through a taffy-pulling machine.

— olivia nuzzi, Daily Intelligencer, "Donald Trump Is Not Invited to the Wedding," 23 July 2017
So there’s no actual salt water in salt water taffy.

— chris kaltenbach, baltimoresun.com, "How to get the beach vacation experience without leaving the Baltimore area," 21 June 2017
The retro-style store features 35 different flavors of saltwater taffy and a mix of old and new candy brands.

— megan mitchell, The Denver Post, "Northglenn’s sweet spots: Where to find local cake bakers, doughnuts and sweets," 13 June 2017
Hidden away amid the serenity of Morro Bay State Park, the Inn at Morro Bay offers a tempting break from the touristy bustle of taffy stores and souvenir shops that mark this quaint little fishing village.

— karen d'souza, The Mercury News, "Inn-Escapable: Peek inside the serene Inn at Morro Bay," 11 June 2017
All the fudge and taffy and most of the chocolates displayed neatly behind Candy Kitchen's glass cases are made in Ocean City, said Leiner, the current owner and nephew of Sam Taustin, who founded Candy Kitchen in 1937.

— kit pollard, baltimoresun.com, "The stories behind Thrasher’s fries and other iconic beach foods," 17 May 2017
Candy Kitchen Fudge (and everything else) Candy Kitchen might be most famous for its fudge, or maybe for its taffy, or maybe for the make-your-own sundae bars that allow kids and adults to go a little crazy with toppings.

— kit pollard, baltimoresun.com, "The stories behind Thrasher’s fries and other iconic beach foods," 17 May 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of taffy

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1817

See Words from the same year

taffy Synonyms

Synonyms

adulation, blarney, butter, flannel [British], incense, overpraise, soft soap, sweet talk, flattery

Related Words

allurements, blandishments, endearments; caresses, compliments, congratulations, felicitations, greetings, regards, respects; adoration, idolatry, worship; fawning, sycophancy, toadying; cajolement, cajolery, ingratiation, smarm; acclaim, applause, commendation, praise

Near Antonyms

bad-mouthing, belittlement, depreciation, detraction, disparagement, put-down

TAFFY Defined for English Language Learners

taffy

noun

Definition of taffy for English Language Learners

: a type of soft and chewy candy

TAFFY Defined for Kids

taffy

noun taf·fy \ ˈta-fē \

Definition of taffy for Students

plural taffies

:a candy made usually of molasses or brown sugar boiled and pulled until soft

Learn More about taffy

See words that rhyme with taffy Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for taffy Spanish Central: Translation of taffy Nglish: Translation of taffy for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about taffy

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Examples of taffy in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of taffy

taffy Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

TAFFY Defined for English Language Learners

taffy

Definition of taffy for English Language Learners

TAFFY Defined for Kids

taffy

Definition of taffy for Students

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