endearing

American  

[en-deer-ing] / ɛnˈdɪər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. tending to make dear or beloved.

2. manifesting or evoking affection.

   an endearing smile.

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endearing British  

/ ɪnˈdɪərɪŋ /

adjective

1. giving rise to love or esteem; charming

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Other Word Forms

• endearingly adverb
• self-endearing adjective
• unendearing adjective
• unendearingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of endearing

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

Explanation

Endearing describes something or someone extremely lovable, like a kitten or your friend's sense of humor. The adjective endearing was originally used in the 1500s to mean "enhancing the value of," and by the 1640s it also meant "making dear or precious." It can still be used both ways, although the second meaning of endearing is most common. Any time you talk about a person or thing that's adorable or extremely likable, you can describe it as endearing.

Example Sentences

The Sun's Felicity Cross gave it five stars, saying that despite being "awkward", it was "endearing, and full of fun banter".

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

There have also been endearing moments that have captured the public's attention.

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

“I never thought about being an actress. I only thought about sewing,” she says with an endearing smile.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

It makes for a wily and endearing tale, and in Adrian Nathan West’s excellent translation, the writing is remarkably untroubled by the stylistic sclerosis that can afflict writers with Vargas Llosa’s prestige.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

She wrote with an endearing, intelligent voice, and her entries were filled with self-deprecating humor and witty, sardonic asides.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

Related Words

• captivating
• charming