plural darlings
1
a
: a person you love very much
She was mother's little darling.
—often used to address someone you loveHow was your day, darling? [=sweetheart, dear]
Darling, what's the matter?
b
: a kind and helpful person
Be a darling [=dear, sweetie] and carry this inside for me.
2
: someone who is liked very much by a person or group
a media darling
—often + ofThey are the newest darlings of the pop rock world.
an actress who is the darling of critics
1
always used before a noun
: greatly loved
This is my darling daughter, Sara.
2
informal
: very pleasing or attractive
What a darling [=cute, adorable] dress!
He told the children a darling [=charming] story after dinner.
That dress is just darling.
Cite this Entry
“Darling.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/darling. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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