See also: Darling

English Edit

Alternative forms Edit

Etymology Edit

From Middle English derelyng, from Old English dīerling (darling, favorite, minion; also household god), corresponding to dear +‎ -ling.

Pronunciation Edit

Noun Edit

darling (plural darlings)

  1. A person who is dear to one.
    Mary, the youngest daughter, was always her mother's darling.
    • 1959, Georgette Heyer, chapter 1, in The Unknown Ajax:
      But Richmond, his grandfather's darling, after one thoughtful glance cast under his lashes at that uncompromising countenance appeared to lose himself in his own reflections.
  2. A kind or sweet person; sweetheart.
    The girl next door picks up all my shopping for me. She is such a darling.
  3. An affectionate term of address.
    Synonyms: see Thesaurus:sweetheart
    Pass the wine, would you, darling?
    • 1969, Paul McCartney (lyrics and music), “Oh! Darling”, in Abbey Road, performed by The Beatles:
      Oh! Darling, please believe me / I'll never do you no harm
    • 1972, Joni Mitchell (lyrics and music), “A Case of You”, in Blue:
      Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling / Still I'd be on my feet
  4. (by extension) A person or thing, typically a woman, who is very popular with a certain group.
    a media darling
    a darling of the theatre
    • 2011 December 15, Felicity Cloake, “How to cook the perfect nut roast”, in Guardian[1]:
      One of the darlings of the early vegetarian movement (particularly in its even sadder form, the cutlet), it was on the menu at John Harvey Kellogg's Battle Creek Sanitarium[sic], and has since become the default Sunday option for vegetarians – and a default source of derision for everyone else.

Derived terms Edit

Translations Edit

Adjective Edit

darling (comparative darlinger, superlative darlingest)

  1. Dear; cherished.
    She is my darling wife of twenty-two years.
  2. charming
    Well isn't that a darling little outfit she has on.

Usage notes Edit

darlinger is rarely used.

Translations Edit

Anagrams Edit