eye candy

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noun

Slang. someone or something that is visually attractive or pleasing but is usually considered to lack worth or merit.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of eye candy

First recorded in 1980–85

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use eye candy in a sentence

Many intellectuals grouse about the competitions as eye candy for the alienated.
What Venezuela Can Learn From Miss Universe|Mac Margolis|November 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
David, who proves to be better eye candy than Ash, lacks the charisma of a true horror hero.
‘Evil Dead’ Remake Pays Homage to a Horror Cult Classic|Jean Trinh|April 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
To someone who often watches the world through a camera lens, this has been a feast of eye candy.
Global Events Celebrate Success of Women Nobel Prize Laureates|Swanee Hunt|December 12, 2011|DAILY BEAST
As an episodic hourlong drama, The Playboy Club offers a portal to a bygone era by way of beats, plot points, and eye candy.
My Mom’s Life as a Playboy Bunny|Susanna Speier|September 25, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Like everyone was ready to do away with the lunkhead eye-candy guy, and Heidi was like, oh, I didn't think his was so bad at all.
Five Gays on Project Runway's Demise|Choire Sicha|November 17, 2009|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for eye candy

eye candy

noun informal

a person who is or people considered highly attractive to look at, often implying that they are but lacking in intelligence or depth

something intended to be attractive to the eye without being demanding or contributing anything essential

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