candy

1 of 2

noun

can·​dy ˈkan-dē 

plural candies

1

: crystallized sugar formed by boiling down sugar syrup

2

a

: a confection made with sugar and often flavoring and filling

b

: a piece of such confection

3

: something that is pleasant or appealing in a light or frivolous way

visual candy

candy adjective

candy

2 of 2

verb

candied; candying

transitive verb

1

: to encrust in or coat with sugar

specifically : to cook (something, such as fruit or fruit peel) in a heavy syrup until glazed

2

: to make attractive : sweeten

candying up the duke's reputation

3

: to crystallize into sugar

intransitive verb

: to become coated or encrusted with sugar crystals : become crystallized into sugar

Synonyms

Verb

• dress up
• enhance
• sweeten

Examples of candy in a Sentence

Noun

The cough syrup tastes like candy.

Verb

the publisher hopes the flashy cover will candy up the novel for impulse buyers

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In North Tustin, where Steve Lawrence’s Trump booth and Sandra Robbie’s Harris booth have been peacefully coexisting on the same corner for months, Robbie brought candy for all (Hershey’s Kisses, peanut and plain M&Ms, and Milky Way bars). —Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 5 Nov. 2024

The star, who celebrated Oonagh's third birthday back on April 8, carried a small plastic jack-o-lantern container to carry candy, as seen in the photos. —Tommy McArdle, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Verb

Jujube teas and jams, candied jujubes, and jujube supplements can be found online, in health food stores, or in local specialty markets. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2024

Fifth course: Giant cream puff, sugared blackberries, caramel and candied pecans. —Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sugre candy, partial translation of Middle French sucre candi, from Old French sucre sugar + Arabic qandī candied, from qand crystallized sugar

First Known Use

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1537, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing candy

• arm candy
• candy apple
• candy cane
• candy coat
• candy-coated
• candy floss
• candy-striped
• candy striper
• cotton candy
• ear candy
• eye candy
• hard candy
• penny candy
• rock candy

Kids Definition

candy

1 of 2 noun

can·​dy ˈkan-dē 

plural candies

: a sweet made of sugar often with flavoring and filling

candy

2 of 2 verb

candied; candying

: to coat or become coated with sugar

especially : to cook (fruit or fruit peel) in sugar syrup