darling

1 of 2

noun

dar·​ling ˈdär-liŋ How to pronounce darling (audio)
1
: a dearly loved person
2
: favorite
a director who is the darling of the critics

darling

2 of 2

adjective

1
: dearly loved : favorite
2
: very pleasing : charming
darlingly adverb
darlingness noun

Examples of darling in a Sentence

Noun She was mother's little darling. for a while that candidate was the darling of the news media and could do no wrong Adjective This is my darling daughter, Sara. That dress is just darling.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Consider, when admiring the timepiece pictured above, that the debut model of this collectors’ darling was introduced to the world the same year that Friends aired for the first time, Oasis dropped Definitely Maybe, and O.J. Simpson went on the lam in the back of a white Ford Bronco. Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2024 The fashion darling has paired her lug soles with everything from baggy jeans and oversize outerwear to even mini dresses and skirts. Laura Jackson, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Your darling planetary ruler, Venus, is transiting the creative sign of Leo while shining a light on your 11th house of associations, community and sense of belonging in the world. Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 5 July 2024 The essence of the inimitable country icon has been funneled into a darling new figurine, complete with a glittering orange bodysuit and bold blue eyeshadow. Melissa Epifano, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for darling 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English derling, from Old English dēorling, from dēore dear

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of darling was before the 12th century

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near darling

Cite this Entry

“Darling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/darling. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

darling

1 of 2 noun
dar·​ling ˈdär-liŋ How to pronounce darling (audio)
1
: a dearly loved person
2

darling

2 of 2 adjective
1
: dearly loved : favorite
2
: very pleasing : charming

Geographical Definition

Darling

geographical name

Dar·​ling ˈdär-liŋ How to pronounce Darling (audio)
river 1702 miles (2738 kilometers) long in southeastern Australia in Queensland and New South Wales flowing southwest into the Murray River

More from Merriam-Webster on darling

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