candy

1 of 2

noun

can·​dy ˈkan-dē How to pronounce candy (audio)
plural candies
Synonyms of candynext
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

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Security cameras showed one of the burglars crawling on his stomach through the candy store before cutting through both concrete and a thick safe, stealing more than $2 million in cash and jewelry. — Doc Louallen, ABC News, 6 June 2025 The accessories and hair dye company, founded by Kathryn Winokur in 2021, has partnered with Sour Patch Kids to release a new, limited-edition Glow Up Gem Pen Set, which will feature the brand’s viral Gem Pen tool and Glow Up Watermelon candy. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 5 June 2025
Verb
The Crying Tiger Seared Tuna features avocado salad and pickled gooseberries, while the Walnut Shrimp balances candied walnuts and walnut aioli with radish. — Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025 Then, try one of our Test Kitchen’s favorite ideas for cooking, baking, and making drinks with orange peels: Make candied orange peel strips to garnish desserts. — Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for candy

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of candy was circa 1537

Phrases Containing candy

Rhymes for candy

See All Rhymes for candy

Browse Nearby Words

C and W
candy
candy apple
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Candy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/candy. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

candy

1 of 2 noun
can·​dy ˈkan-dē How to pronounce candy (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on candy

Nglish: Translation of candy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about candy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Rare and Amusing Insults, Volume 3

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All