endearing

[ en-deer-ing ]

adjective

1. tending to make dear or beloved.
2. manifesting or evoking affection:

   an endearing smile.

Other Words From

• en·dearing·ly adverb
• self-en·dearing adjective
• unen·dearing adjective
• unen·dearing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of endearing¹

First recorded in 1615–25; endear + -ing ²

Example Sentences

He diligently befriended Cordelia Scaife May, an heiress to Andrew Mellon’s fortunes who funded forest preservation across Pennsylvania and believed in curtailing population growth, endearing himself to her with gauzy appeals.

From Salon

It’s annoying and endearing at the same time.

From Salon

The journalist turned filmmaker “was actually quite complex, much like the female heroines who weren’t necessarily endearing off the bat,” Kaplan says.

From Los Angeles Times

So the way to counteract that is by giving him an endearing quality.

From Salon

It makes sense that he is initially gun-shy having just ended a marriage, but his long-term passivity does not make him endearing.

From Salon

Related Words

• captivating
• charming