sweetheart
Americannoun
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either of a pair of lovers in relation to the other.
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(sometimes initial capital letter) an affectionate or familiar term of address.
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a beloved person.
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Informal. a generous, friendly person.
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Informal. anything that arouses loyal affection.
My old car was a real sweetheart.
noun
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a person loved by another
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informal a lovable, generous, or obliging person
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a term of endearment for a beloved or lovable person
adjective
Etymology
Origin of sweetheart
First recorded in 1250–1300, sweetheart is from Middle English swete herte. See sweet, heart
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.
He had two sons from his first marriage to his high school sweetheart Dianne Holechek, which lasted 30 years, and a son and a daughter with his second wife Gena O'Kelley.
From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026
During the BBC interview, Gumbley also shared his first love letter home to his "sweetheart" Peggy who later became his wife.
From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026
Those unfamiliar with Funches’ reputation as a sweetheart might have easily swallowed that, but people who love Funches really love him and rose to his defense on social media.
From Salon • Jan. 28, 2026
A fifth Oscar nomination for Roberts, whose performance in “After the Hunt” was better received than the film, would validate her creative risk-taking — and remind France just whose sweetheart she really is.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2025
“Augustus, sweetheart, I don’t think you had better do that!”
From "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl
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.
