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

Example Sentences

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

From BBC

“What may be a term of endearment in one context can be perceived differently in another.”

From Los Angeles Times

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

Other activists started to call them Grandma and Grandpa, pet names they’ve since adopted at home to replace traditional terms of endearment.

From Los Angeles Times

The word can apply to someone of any age, or any gender, as she and all the kids know; “babygirl” is now a slang term of endearment for a cute, appealing man.

From Los Angeles Times