honey

[ huhn-ee ]

noun

, plural hon·eys.

1. a sweet, viscid fluid produced by bees from the nectar collected from flowers, and stored in nests or hives as food.
2. this substance as used in cooking or as a spread or sweetener.
3. the nectar of flowers.
4. any of various similarly sweet, viscid products produced by insects or in other ways.
5. something sweet, delicious, or delightful:

   the honey of flattery.

6. Informal. a person for whom one feels love or deep affection; sweetheart; darling.
7. (sometimes initial capital letter) an affectionate or familiar term of address, as to a child or romantic partner (sometimes offensive when used to strangers, casual acquaintances, subordinates, etc., especially by a male to a female).
8. Informal. something of especially high quality, degree of excellence, etc.:

   That's a honey of a computer.

adjective

1. of, like, or pertaining to honey; sweet.
2. containing honey or flavored or sweetened with honey.

verb (used with object)

, hon·eyed or hon·ied, hon·ey·ing.

1. Informal. to talk flatteringly or endearingly to (often followed by up ).
2. to sweeten or flavor with or as if with honey.

verb (used without object)

, hon·eyed or hon·ied, hon·ey·ing.

1. Informal. to use flattery, endearing terms, etc., in an effort to obtain something (often followed by up ):

   They always got what they wanted by honeying up to their grandfather.

honey

/ ˈhʌnɪ /

noun

1. a sweet viscid substance made by bees from nectar and stored in their nests or hives as food. It is spread on bread or used as a sweetening agent
2. any similar sweet substance, esp the nectar of flowers
3. anything that is sweet or delightful
4. often capital a term of endearment
5. informal.
   something considered to be very good of its kind

   a honey of a car

6. modifier of, concerned with, or resembling honey

verb

1. tr to sweeten with or as if with honey
2. often foll by up to talk to (someone) in a fond or flattering way

Derived Forms

• ˈhoney-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• honey·ful adjective
• honey·less adjective
• honey·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of honey¹

before 900; Middle English hony, Old English hunig; cognate with Dutch, German honig, Old Norse hunang; akin to Greek knēkós pale yellow, tawny

Word History and Origins

Origin of honey¹

Old English huneg; related to Old Norse hunang, Old Saxon hanig, German Honig, Greek knēkos yellowish, Sanskrit kánaka- gold

Example Sentences

The workers are female and live for as little as four weeks, feeding the queen, caring for the drones, collecting nectar, pollinating, and producing honey.

From Popular-Science

Of course, it’s not all honey and butterflies in our relationship with insects.

From Nautilus

A survivor of a messy childhood, Ronin only wants a sense of balance in her life and for her awful mother to stop saying things like, “Nobody needs more than one chin, honey.”

From Washington Post

For the filling, combine the butter, cream, and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until the butter has melted.

From Eater

Otherwise top each fig piece with a pistachio, drizzle with the honey-orange mixture and sprinkle with the salt and the mint.

From Washington Post

Ancient Romans exchanged gifts of figs and honey and would make sure to work part of the day as a good omen for the coming year.

From The Daily Beast

Maybe our dear bear should sit quietly, not chase piglets and just eat berries and honey.

From The Daily Beast

We can thank Lisa Kudrow for the rise of celeb reality TV—Real Housewives, the Kardashians, Honey Boo Boo and its ilk.

From The Daily Beast

Still, not everything has been milk and honey when it comes to trans issues in the Holy Land.

From The Daily Beast

As quickly as Honey Boo Boo came, there she goes—even more quickly.

From The Daily Beast

He had thought what it would be like to be a rich man, and bring a certain girl here for a moon of honey and roses.

From Project Gutenberg

Thimbletoes doesn't fancy that, you know, because the Prime Minister has all the honey he wants, by way of a salary.

From Project Gutenberg

He shall eat butter and honey, that he may know to refuse the evil, and to choose the good.

From Project Gutenberg

If you see us come down this way again, honey,” Amy said, “run down here to the shore and we will take you aboard.

From Project Gutenberg

That I may accomplish the oath which I swore to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day.

From Project Gutenberg