sweetheart

American  

[sweet-hahrt] / ˈswitˌhɑrt /

noun

1. either of a pair of lovers in relation to the other.

2. (sometimes initial capital letter) an affectionate or familiar term of address.

3. a beloved person.

4. Informal. a generous, friendly person.

5. Informal. anything that arouses loyal affection.

   My old car was a real sweetheart.

---

sweetheart British  

/ ˈswiːtˌhɑːt /

noun

1. a person loved by another

2. informal a lovable, generous, or obliging person

3. a term of endearment for a beloved or lovable person

---

adjective

1. of or relating to a garment with a sweetheart neckline

   sweetheart cardigan

Etymology

Origin of sweetheart

First recorded in 1250–1300, sweetheart is from Middle English swete herte. See sweet, heart

Example Sentences

Most of them selected women’s watches for mothers and sweethearts back home.

From Literature

I hate it when movies shrink a global rescue quest just to the main character’s need to save their own sweetheart or child.

From Los Angeles Times

“Well, why wouldn’t she have a whole bunch of swains and sweethearts lined up for her all the way back to the windpump?”

From Literature

So someone brought her to the set, where Gosling greeted her with a “Hi, sweetheart” and held her hand as he pulled her to center stage.

From Los Angeles Times

After following his childhood sweetheart to Europe, he established himself as a prolific goalscorer showcasing a bit of everything at Ajax and Liverpool.

From BBC

Related Words

• boyfriend
• companion
• darling
• girlfriend
• heartthrob
• lover