endearment

American  

[en-deer-muhnt] / ɛnˈdɪər mənt /

noun

1. the act of endearing. endearing.

2. the state of being endeared.

3. something that endears; an action or utterance showing affection.

   to murmur endearments.

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endearment British  

/ ɪnˈdɪəmənt /

noun

1. something that endears, such as an affectionate utterance

2. the act or process of endearing or the condition of being endeared

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Etymology

Origin of endearment

First recorded in 1605–15; endear + -ment

Explanation

Next time you cringe when a family member calls you by your childhood nickname in public, remember, Snoopy, it's just a term of endearment — meant to show affection, not make you miserably embarrassed. When you break apart the word endearment, you probably recognize the word endear, a verb that means "to make admired or beloved." The suffix -ment can turn a verb into a noun, so endearment is something that shows affection or admiration, like calling someone "my love" instead of his or her name or playfully whacking your brother on the head when you walk by where he sits, doing his homework.

Example Sentences

"I've never really thought of it as an insult, more a term of endearment," he says.

From BBC • Nov. 14, 2025

It started with a blowup with contestant Ace Greene after he vocalized his discomfort with Espinal touching him and using terms of endearment, in particular the word “babe.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 15, 2025

Known among friends and colleagues as “Tío Felix,” a familial term of endearment, Contreras has been a dedicated reporter for close to 50 years.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2025

It could be a term of endearment, people saying that they love you for your Blackness, or it could be an insult and an attack.

From Salon • Mar. 16, 2024

My dad uses his favorite term of endearment for my mom—my soul, my life—and pats the air with his palm down, a quieting gesture.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed