endearing
Americanadjective
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tending to make dear or beloved.
-
manifesting or evoking affection.
an endearing smile.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of endearing
Explanation
Endearing describes something or someone extremely lovable, like a kitten or your friend's sense of humor. The adjective endearing was originally used in the 1500s to mean "enhancing the value of," and by the 1640s it also meant "making dear or precious." It can still be used both ways, although the second meaning of endearing is most common. Any time you talk about a person or thing that's adorable or extremely likable, you can describe it as endearing.
Vocabulary lists containing endearing
100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"
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Genesis Begins Again
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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.
“The talent have talent,” Carpenter tells Cricket during one of his endearing rants.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
His charisma has begun to shine through while at City, with his humour - which is at times very English - endearing him to fans.
From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026
Tom Nolan notes that the author “interweaves her endearing characters’ voices in wonderful ways” in her arresting debut work.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
For abiding calm and a belief in the future, there are drop-ins with veteran teacher Titti — the movie’s most endearing figure — who runs an after-school tutoring center for local schoolchildren.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026
Maybe it was, but like his music, I found his paintings evocative, endearing, and curious.
From "Confessions of a Murder Suspect" by James Patterson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
