candy

¹

[kan-dee]

noun

plural

candies 

1. any of a variety of confections made with sugar, syrup, etc., often combined with chocolate, fruit, nuts, etc.

2. a single piece of such a confection.

3. Slang.,  cocaine.

4. someone or something that is pleasing or pleasurable, usually in a superficial way (often used in combination).

   The show is candy, but enjoy it for what it is.

verb (used with object)

candied, candying 

1. to cook in sugar or syrup, as sweet potatoes or carrots.

2. to cook in heavy syrup until transparent, as fruit, fruit peel, or ginger.

3. to reduce (sugar, syrup, etc.) to a crystalline form, usually by boiling down.

4. to coat with sugar.

   to candy dates.

5. to make sweet, palatable, or agreeable.

verb (used without object)

candied, candying 

1. to become covered with sugar.

2. to crystallize into sugar.

Candy

²

[kan-dee]

noun

1. a female given name.

candy

/ ˈkændɪ /

noun

1. confectionery in general; sweets, chocolate, etc

2. a person or thing that is regarded as being attractive but superficial

   arm candy

3. informal,  very easy to accomplish

verb

1. to cause (sugar, etc) to become crystalline, esp by boiling or (of sugar) to become crystalline through boiling

2. to preserve (fruit peel, ginger, etc) by boiling in sugar

3. to cover with any crystalline substance, such as ice or sugar

Other Word Forms

• candylike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of candy¹

1225–75; Middle English candi, sugre candi candied sugar < Middle French sucre candi; candi ≪ Arabic qandī < Persian qandi sugar < Sanskrit khaṇḍakaḥ sugar candy

Word History and Origins

Origin of candy¹

C18: from Old French sucre candi candied sugar, from Arabic qandi candied, from qand cane sugar, of Dravidian origin

Example Sentences

As trick-or-treaters make their rounds this year, many will be expecting the usual cornucopia of candy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A national online candy supplier has hit a financial sour patch, filing for bankruptcy shortly before the biggest day for candy sales: Halloween.

Read more on Salon

“I’m looking for all the help I can get, I wish there was more,” said John Green, who manages a candy store on Main Street.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mondelez International Inc., the maker of Oreo cookies, Ritz crackers and Sour Patch Kids candy, said late Tuesday it reached “peak costs” and dialed down its expectations for the year.

Read more on MarketWatch

But if none of that sounds more appealing than curling up on your couch with a good show to watch and a bag of your favorite candy nearby, we’ve got you covered.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• sweet