endearing
Americanadjective
-
tending to make dear or beloved.
-
manifesting or evoking affection.
an endearing smile.
adjective
Other Word 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
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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.
Callanan’s habit of taking a swipe at the American Ellmann in one footnote after another is almost endearing, even when it leaves the impression of snatching a piece of property back from an interloper.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026
Grace dubs his new friend “Rocky,” and their trans-galactically nutty friendship is one of the most endearing relationships between man and thing since Tom Hanks met Wilson the volleyball in “Cast Away.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
Okrent portrays Sondheim as witty and endearing, but also poorly groomed, remote, caustic, quick to anger — and, mostly, quick to forgive.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026
The Sun's Felicity Cross gave it five stars, saying that despite being "awkward", it was "endearing, and full of fun banter".
From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026
It’s endearing that he’s worried about me, but enough is enough.
From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
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.
