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ear candy

American  

noun

  1. Slang. pleasant, melodic pop music.


Etymology

Origin of ear candy

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“Deadbeat” works well as a studio demonstration and space-filling ear candy, but there isn’t nearly enough happening otherwise to sustain Tame Impala fans for another few years.

From The Wall Street Journal Oct. 21, 2025

But ear candy abounds, not least the throbbing reggaeton beat in “Encanto’s” “Surface Pressure,” which sits behind “Bruno” at No. 14 on the Hot 100.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 20, 2022

“Downton Abbey” is eye and ear candy of the highest order: rich and delicious, but not especially nutritious.

From Washington Post Sep. 17, 2019

The sounds of Debbie Gibson, Duran Duran and the Pet Shop Boys wafted from the radio, ear candy to a generation of voluminous-pantsed youths.

From New York Times Aug. 9, 2019

“It’s ear candy and eye candy at the same time,” he said.

From Washington Times Oct. 3, 2016

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