can‧dy S3 /ˈkændi/ BrE AmE noun (plural candies) [uncountable and countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: candi, from Arabic qandi 'covered with sugar', from qand 'sugar']
1. American English a sweet food made from sugar or chocolate:
a box of candies
a candy bar
Do you want a piece of candy? 2. mind/brain candy informal something that is entertaining or pleasant to look at, but which you do not approve of because you think it is not serious:
Most video games are just brain candy.
candy[candycandiescandiedcandying][ˈkændi][ˈkændi]noununcountable, countable(pl.candies)(NAmE)
sweet food made of sugar and/or chocolate, eaten between meals; a piece of this Syn: sweet • a box of candy • a candy store • a candy bar • Who wants the last piece of candy? see also arm candy, eye candy Idiom: like taking candy from a baby Word Origin:
mid 17th cent. (as a verb): the noun use is from late Middle English sugar-candy, from French sucre candi ‘crystallized sugar’, from Arabic sukkar ‘sugar’ + qandī ‘candied’, based on Sanskrit khaṇḍa ‘fragment’. Example Bank: • People were celebrating in the streets and handing out candy. • Taking the money would be like taking candy from a baby. • The kids made straight for the candy aisle.
[kæ_ndi] candies N-VAR Candy is sweet foods such as toffees or chocolate. [AM] ...a piece of candy... There was a large box of candies on a table nearby.(in BRIT, usually use sweets)
1. [countable] British English a small piece of sweet food made of sugar or chocolate SYN candy American English:
Eating sweets is bad for your teeth.
a sweet shop
a packet of boiled sweets (=hard sweets that taste of fruit) 2. [uncountable and countable] British English sweet food served after the meat and vegetables part of a meal SYN dessert:
Would you like a sweet, or some cheese and biscuits? 3. (my) sweet old-fashioned used when speaking to someone you love:
Don’t cry, my sweet.
FOOD 1.countable(BrE) a small piece of sweet food, usually made with sugar and/or chocolate and eaten between meals Syn: candy • a packet of boiled sweets
• a sweet shop
2.countable, uncountable(BrE) a sweet dish eaten at the end of a meal Syn: afters, Syn: dessert, Syn: pudding • I haven't made a sweet today.
• Would you like some more sweet?
PERSON
3.uncountable(old-fashioned) a way of addressing sb that you like or love • Don't you worry, my sweet. Word Origin: Old English swēte, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zoet, German süss, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin suavis and Greek hēdus. Example Bank:
sweeter,sweetest,sweets
1) ADJ-GRADEDSweet food and drink contains a lot of sugar. ...a mug of sweet tea... If the sauce seems too sweet, add a dash of red wine vinegar. ...the sweet taste of wild strawberries. Derived words: sweetnessN-UNCOUNTFlorida oranges have a natural sweetness.
2) N-COUNTSweets are small sweet things such as toffees, chocolates, and mints. [BRIT](in AM, use candy)
3) N-VAR A sweet is something sweet, such as fruit or a pudding, that you eat at the end of a meal, especially in a restaurant. [BRIT] The sweet was a mousse flavoured with whisky. Syn:
dessert(in AM, use dessert)
4) ADJ-GRADED A sweet smell is a pleasant one, for example the smell of a flower. ...the sweet smell of her shampoo... She'd baked some bread which made the air smell sweet. Ant:
foul
5) ADJ-GRADED If you describe something such as air or water as sweet, you mean that it smells or tastes pleasantly fresh and clean. I gulped a breath of sweet air. ...a stream of sweet water. Ant:
foul
6) ADJ-GRADED A sweet sound is pleasant, smooth, and gentle. Her voice was as soft and sweet as a young girl's. ...the sweet sounds of Mozart. Derived words: sweetlyADV-GRADEDusu ADV with vHe sang much more sweetly than he has before.
7) ADJ-GRADED If you describe something as sweet, you mean that it gives you great pleasure and satisfaction. [WRITTEN] There are few things quite as sweet as revenge. ...the sweet taste of illicit love... His success was all the sweeter for being at the expense of Europe's most admired team. Ant:
bitter
8) ADJ-GRADED If you describe someone as sweet, you mean that they are pleasant, kind, and gentle towards other people. He was a sweet man but when he drank he tended to quarrel... How sweet of you to think of me! Derived words: sweetlyADV-GRADEDusu ADV with vI just smiled sweetly and said no.
9) ADJ-GRADED If you describe a small person or thing as sweet, you mean that they are attractive in a simple or unsophisticated way. [INFORMAL] ...a sweet little baby girl... The house was really sweet. Syn:
cute
10) N-VOC You can address someone as sweet or my sweet if you are very fond of them. [OLD-FASHIONED] I am so proud of you, my sweet! Syn:
darling
11) → See also sweetly, sweetness
12) PHRASE: V inflects If you keep someone sweet, you do something to please them in order to prevent them from becoming annoyed or dissatisfied. [INFORMAL] Where's the money to keep us sweet?
13) a sweet tooth → see tooth
2sweet noun, plsweets 1 a[count] : a food that contains a lot of sugar : a sweet food • I'm trying to cut down on sweets. b[count]Brit : a piece of candy • a bag of sweets c[count, noncount]Brit : a sweet food served at the end of a meal : dessert 2[noncount]old-fashioned
- used to address someone you love • Good morning, my sweet.
