candy

[kan-dee]

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noun, plural can·dies.

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

a single piece of such a confection.

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. See also arm candy, ear candy, eye candy.

verb (used with object), can·died, can·dy·ing.

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

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

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

to coat with sugar: to candy dates.

to make sweet, palatable, or agreeable.

verb (used without object), can·died, can·dy·ing.

to become covered with sugar.

to crystallize into sugar.

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

Related formscan·dy·like, adjective

Candy

[kan-dee]

noun

a female given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for candy

Contemporary Examples of candy

In fact, that candy store is heavy industry, with all the mess that entails.
New York’s Conservative Fracking Ban
Jay Michaelson
December 20, 2014
These medications will not continue to work when we need them if they are handed out like candy.
Without Education, Antibiotic Resistance Will Be Our Greatest Health Crisis
Russell Saunders
December 19, 2014
Meanwhile younger, lighter colors evoke citrus and tree fruits, candy sugars and vanilla toffee.
Why Natural Color Is So Crucial To Understanding A Whisky’s Flavors
December 10, 2014
Not just a candy factory but a candy store, and everything in it free.
‘Asteroids’ & The Dawn of the Gamer Age
David Owen
November 29, 2014
In the choice between free candy shops and human beings, candy is still coming first.
Silicon Valley Interns Make a Service Worker’s Yearly Salary In Three Months
Samantha Allen
November 25, 2014

Historical Examples of candy

As for the child, he gave himself wholly to the enjoyment of a stick of candy.
Other Tales and Sketches
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Of what value are milk, cream, and butter in the making of candy?
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 5
Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
What care should be exercised in the use of colorings in candy?
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 5
Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
A box of candy against a good cigar, they are a stolid married couple.
K
Mary Roberts Rinehart
She should have the candy cock, but must promise not to say a word if she took it.
Rico and Wiseli
Johanna Spyri

British Dictionary definitions for candy

candy

noun plural -dies

mainly US and Canadian confectionery in general; sweets, chocolate, etc

a person or thing that is regarded as being attractive but superficialarm candy

like taking candy from a baby informal very easy to accomplish

verb -dies, -dying or -died

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

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

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

Word Origin for candy

C18: from Old French sucre candi candied sugar, from Arabic qandi candied, from qand cane sugar, of Dravidian origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for candy

late 13c., "crystalized sugar," from Old French çucre candi "sugar candy," ultimately from Arabic qandi, from Persian qand "cane sugar," probably from Sanskrit khanda "piece (of sugar)," perhaps from Dravidian (cf. Tamil kantu "candy," kattu "to harden, condense").

1530s, from candy (n.). Related: Candied; candying.

candy

noun, plural can·dies.

verb (used with object), can·died, can·dy·ing.

verb (used without object), can·died, can·dy·ing.

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RELATED WORDS

Origin of candy

Candy

noun

Examples from the Web for candy

Contemporary Examples of candy

Historical Examples of candy

candy

noun plural -dies

verb -dies, -dying or -died

Word Origin for candy