darling
darling — noun
1. someone you love very much and feel a close emotional bond with
someone you love very much and feel a close emotional bond with
Layla kept a photograph of her late grandmother, who had always been her darling.
possessive pattern: her darling / my darling
To his parents, Hyun remained their darling even after he moved abroad for work.
The locket held a tiny picture of Maeve, who was her husband's darling.
Every letter Esteban wrote to his mother ended with a sentence calling her his darling.
- beloved
more formal and literary; less common in everyday speech
- sweetheart
informal; used especially between romantic partners
- dear
more general; can describe anyone you care about, not only a specific person
文法句型
sb's darling
the darling of [group]
用法筆記
Frequently used with a possessive adjective (my darling, her darling) or in the structure 'the darling of + family/group'.
常見錯誤
2. someone who is especially well-liked by a group of people because of their kind,
someone who is especially well-liked by a group of people because of their kind, friendly, or charming nature
With his easy smile and helpful manner, Ishaan quickly became the darling of the office.
collocation: the darling of [place/group]
The young actress was Hollywood's darling for nearly a decade after her first hit film.
Aunt Nila was a darling to everyone in the village for always lending a hand.
At the animal shelter, one spotted puppy quickly became the darling of the volunteers.
文法句型
the darling of [group/place]
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used with a definite article or a possessive before 'darling', followed by 'of' or a possessive noun showing the group.
darling — adjective
1. used before a name or as a form of address to show that you feel love and affect
used before a name or as a form of address to show that you feel love and affection for the person you are speaking or writing to
Darling Yasmin, I am counting the days until we meet again, wrote Reuben from overseas.
letter opening: 'Darling [name],'
Putri answered the phone saying, 'Hello, darling, I have been waiting.'
A note on the table said 'My darling Ada' and ended with a small heart.
Goodnight, my darling children, the babysitter said as she tucked them into bed.
- dear
slightly less emotional; feels more everyday and casual
- love
used mostly in British English as a form of address; can sound familiar
- sweetheart
similar warmth but more often used between romantic partners
文法句型
darling [name]
my darling [noun]
[letter]: Darling ...,
用法筆記
Common in letters and messages ('Darling John,…'). When spoken, it expresses warmth and is used between family members, romantic partners, or close friends. Can sound overly familiar if used with strangers.
常見錯誤
2. very pleasing to look at; charming or pretty in a way that is easy to like
very pleasing to look at; charming or pretty in a way that is easy to like
Karim brought his date a darling little bouquet of wildflowers he had picked himself.
informal register: 'a darling little [noun]'
The café on the corner had darling lace curtains that reminded Yael of her grandmother.
Ada found a darling vintage dress at the market for only ten dollars.
The cottage looked absolutely darling with its blue shutters and flower boxes.
- ugly
direct opposite in appearance
文法句型
darling [noun]
look / seem darling
用法筆記
Informal and slightly old-fashioned in some regions. More common in American English than British English today. Often used to describe small, cute things (a darling hat, a darling cottage) rather than people.