endearing

[en-deer-ing]

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adjective

tending to make dear or beloved.

manifesting or evoking affection: an endearing smile.

Nearby words

Origin of endearing

First recorded in 1615–25; endear + -ing²

Related formsen·dear·ing·ly, adverbself-en·dear·ing, adjectiveun·en·dear·ing, adjectiveun·en·dear·ing·ly, adverb

endear

[en-deer]

verb (used with object)

to make dear, esteemed, or beloved: He endeared himself to his friends with his gentle ways.

Obsolete. to make costly.

Origin of endear

First recorded in 1570–80; en-¹ + dear¹

Related formsun·en·deared, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for endearing

When a candidates flaws are seen as an endearing part of who they are, scandal can make them more attractive, Gergen argued.
Vote for the (Alleged) Crooks! How Rick Perry, Chris Christie, and Scott Walker are Running While Under Investigation|Olivia Nuzzi|August 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This thinking can seem innocent and endearing in children; if you will it, it will be.
Why Smart People Are Dumb Patients|Jean Kim|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of course, it did take the candidate five takes to get that endearing take.
CNN ’60s Series Looks at How the Kennedy-Nixon Debate Changed TV|Scott Porch|May 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That is fascinating, scary, sad, endearing—all of the above.
How ‘Transcendence’ Director Wally Pfister Became Christopher Nolan’s Secret Weapon|Andrew Romano|April 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

His reputation at NBC was less than endearing, according to a former colleague from that network.
Privilege and Power: The Rise and Rise of Ben Sherwood|Lloyd Grove|March 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To be familiar and endearing with them all—and so make me mad with envying them.
Little Dorrit|Charles Dickens
There was no one to pronounce him the slave of that most endearing of tyrants, the artistic temperament.
George Cruikshank|W. H. Chesson
They slapped him on the back; they called him all sorts of harsh-sounding but endearing names; they jostled him to and fro.
Andy at Yale|Roy Eliot Stokes
But how gentle and endearing his deportment could be, was not known till the recollections of Madame D'Arblay were published.
The Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay, Vol. 1 (of 3)|Fanny Burney
Even to Cherry her voice, rich and deep as it was, never softened; and she rarely used an endearing term.
Afterwards|Kathlyn Rhodes

British Dictionary definitions for endearing

endearing

adjective

giving rise to love or esteem; charming

Derived Formsendearingly, adverb

endear

verb

(tr) to cause to be beloved or esteemed

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 endearing

endearing

adj.

1660s, present participle adjective from endear. Related: Endearingly.

endear

1580s, "to enhance the value of," also "win the affection of," from en- (1) "make, put in" + dear (adj.). Meaning "to make dear" is from 1640s. Related: Endeared; endearing.

endearing

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of endearing

endear

verb (used with object)

Origin of endear

Examples from the Web for endearing

endearing

adjective

endear

verb

endearing

endear