candy

¹ American  

[kan-dee] / ˈkæn di /

noun

plural

candies

1. any of a variety of confections made with sugar, syrup, etc., often combined with chocolate, fruit, nuts, etc.

2. a single piece of such a confection.

3. Slang. cocaine.

4. someone or something that is pleasing or pleasurable, usually in a superficial way (often used in combination).

   The show is candy, but enjoy it for what it is.

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verb (used with object)

candied, candying

1. to cook in sugar or syrup, as sweet potatoes or carrots.

2. to cook in heavy syrup until transparent, as fruit, fruit peel, or ginger.

3. to reduce (sugar, syrup, etc.) to a crystalline form, usually by boiling down.

4. to coat with sugar.

   to candy dates.

5. to make sweet, palatable, or agreeable.

verb (used without object)

candied, candying

1. to become covered with sugar.

2. to crystallize into sugar.

Candy ² American  

[kan-dee] / ˈkæn di /

noun

1. a female given name.

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candy British  

/ ˈkændɪ /

noun

1. confectionery in general; sweets, chocolate, etc

2. a person or thing that is regarded as being attractive but superficial

   arm candy

3. informal very easy to accomplish

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verb

1. to cause (sugar, etc) to become crystalline, esp by boiling or (of sugar) to become crystalline through boiling

2. to preserve (fruit peel, ginger, etc) by boiling in sugar

3. to cover with any crystalline substance, such as ice or sugar

Other Word Forms

• candylike adjective

Etymology

Origin of candy

1225–75; Middle English candi, sugre candi candied sugar < Middle French sucre candi; candi ≪ Arabic qandī < Persian qandi sugar < Sanskrit khaṇḍakaḥ sugar candy

Example Sentences

Crisped bacon, chopped into uneven bits like salty candy?

From Salon

Reassurance, a well-deserved pat on the back, best wishes for good health and one piece of your favorite candy.

From MarketWatch

Ana’s living room is decorated with black-and-white streamers and balloons, penguin stuffed animals, and bowls of black-and-white candy.

From Literature

It wasn’t until this year that he needed to figure out what candy really is.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Sleepover at my house tonight, you and me! Pizza, movies, staying up too late, eating candy into the early hours of the morning, what do you say?”

From Literature

Related Words

• sweet