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

Last year, she managed to fill Easter baskets she gave with some brand-name candy bolstered with off-brand budget choices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Easter baskets might be lighter on chocolate bunnies and eggs this year as consumers are balking at what they’re being asked to pay for the candy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

On a Reddit thread, one commenter said they are “putting uneaten Halloween candy in Easter eggs.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

And for candy and a range of other basket-filling items, shoppers are also turning to discount outlets.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

While the girl was getting the candy, I saw something that really took my eye.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Related Words

• sweet