endearing

[ en-deer-ing ]
/ ɛnˈdɪər ɪŋ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR endearing ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

tending to make dear or beloved.
manifesting or evoking affection: an endearing smile.

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Origin of endearing

First recorded in 1615–25; endear + -ing2

OTHER WORDS FROM endearing

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

Words nearby endearing

endarterium, endaural, endbrain, endcap, endear, endearing, endearment, endeavor, endeavour, endecott, endemic

Definition for endearing (2 of 2)

endear
[ en-deer ]
/ ɛnˈdɪər /

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

OTHER WORDS FROM endear

un·en·deared, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to endearing

charming, captivating, winning, adorable, dear, irresistible, sweet

Example sentences from the Web for endearing

British Dictionary definitions for endearing (1 of 2)

endearing
/ (ɪnˈdɪərɪŋ) /

adjective

giving rise to love or esteem; charming

Derived forms of endearing

endearingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for endearing (2 of 2)

endear
/ (ɪnˈdɪə) /

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