Candy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈkan-dē/ can·dy

Meaning & Definition of Candy

Candy (noun)

  1. crystallized sugar formed by boiling down sugar syrup
  2. a confection made with sugar and often flavoring and filling
  3. a piece of such confection

Candy (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
  3. to crystallize into sugar

Candy (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make more desirable

    "the publisher hopes the flashy cover will candy up the novel for impulse buyers"

    similar: dress up, enhance, sweeten
    related: ameliorate, enrich, improve, meliorate, embellish, soup up, trick, cosmeticize, doll up, spruce

Candy (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in sweet, confection

    similar: chocolate, confection, sweet, sweetmeat, afters (British), dessert, pastry, goody, morsel, treat, confectionary, confectionery

Related Entry: Cotton candy (noun)

Cotton candy is a different word from Candy. The synonyms below are for cotton candy, not for candy.

  1. something attractive but lacking in substance

    "the beauty pageant is a variety of cotton candy that the public has clearly started to grow tired of"

    similar: candyfloss (British), eye candy, tinsel
    related: window dressing, fluff, froth, gossamer, glitter, gloss

Related Entry: Eye candy (noun)

Eye candy is a different word from Candy. The synonyms below are for eye candy, not for candy.

  1. something attractive but lacking in substance

    "a fashionable portrait painter in his day, he is now regarded as a minor purveyor of eye candy"

    similar: candyfloss (British), cotton candy, tinsel
    related: window dressing, fluff, froth, gossamer, glitter, gloss

Related Entry: Candyfloss (noun)

Candyfloss is a different word from Candy. The synonyms below are for candyfloss, not for candy.

  1. something attractive but lacking in substance

    "the composer's works have generally been dismissed as candyfloss by music critics"

    similar: cotton candy, eye candy, tinsel
    related: window dressing, fluff, froth, gossamer, glitter, gloss

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Candy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Candy:

British: afters
dress up, enhance, sweeten, chocolate, confection, sweet, sweetmeat, dessert, pastry, goody, morsel, treat, confectionary, confectionery

Related Words for Candy

ameliorate, enrich, improve, meliorate, embellish, soup up, trick, cosmeticize, doll up, spruce

Word Forms of Candy

Inflections: candies, candied, candying

Derived words: candy (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Candy

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: 1587

Words & Phrases Containing Candy

candy-coat, candy-coated, candy floss, candy striper, candy apple, candy cane, candy-striped, arm candy

Frequently Asked Questions about Candy

What does "Candy" mean?

"Candy" means crystallized sugar formed by boiling down sugar syrup. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: crystallized sugar formed by boiling down sugar syrup. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Candy"?

Other words for "Candy" include dress up, enhance, sweeten, chocolate, confection, sweet, sweetmeat and afters. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Candy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Candy"?

There are 25 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Candy". Common alternatives include dress up, enhance, sweeten, chocolate, confection, sweet, sweetmeat, afters, dessert and pastry.

How do you use "Candy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Candy" in a sentence: "the publisher hopes the flashy cover will candy up the novel for impulse buyers".

Is "Candy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Candy" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Candy"?

"Candy" is pronounced /ˈkan-dē/ and divided into syllables as can·dy.

What is the origin of the word "Candy"?

"Candy" comes from 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: 1587.

What is another word for "Candy" meaning "to make more desirable"?

When "Candy" (verb) means to make more desirable, synonyms include dress up, enhance and sweeten.