darling
1 of 2noun
dar·ling ˈdär-liŋ 
1
: a dearly loved person
2
: favorite
a director who is the darling of the critics
darling
2 of 2adjective
1
: dearly loved : favorite
2
: very pleasing : charming
darlingly
ˈdär-liŋ-lē
adverb darlingness noun
Synonyms
Noun
- fave
- favorite
- minion
- pet
- preference
- speed
Adjective
- beloved
- cherished
- dear
- fair-haired
- favored
- favorite
- fond
- loved
- pet
- precious
- special
- sweet
- white-headed
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun She was mother's little darling. for a while that candidate was the darling of the news media and could do no wrong Adjective This is my darling daughter, Sara. That dress is just darling.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ian Malone, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2022 The Portland Timbers, ever the late-season darling, are winners of four consecutive matches after a 1-0 victory over Minnesota United on a hazy Saturday night at Providence Park. oregonlive, 10 Sep. 2022 And now, with Abbott as the critical darling of the Emmys and the torchbearer for network sitcoms typically put out to pasture in today's streaming age, more people than ever are paying attention. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 9 Sep. 2022 The WeekTwitter Don't worry about going even a single day without more Olivia Wilde gossip, darling. Brendan Morrow, The Week, 8 Sep. 2022 The look was composed of a black gown adorned with white scribbles on the skirt, featuring words like love and darling in all caps, as well as hearts with arrows crossing through them. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Sep. 2022 The first feature film from now-A24 darling Ari Aster, Hereditary is all about the horrors hiding in your bloodstream. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2022 Dividend stocks have become the new darling on Wall Street, and investors looking for income are pouring billions of dollars into them. Lori Ioannou, WSJ, 5 Sep. 2022 The Wisconsin-Whitewater alum became a draft darling during the 2021 draft season and went on to start nine games last season at right guard with 15 appearances overall. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 2 Sep. 2022 Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 14 July 2022 Widen your horizons with a red Breton stripe, like this one with a darling bow toe at the back. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 2 May 2022 While out in London today, Olivia Wilde wore a beanie, red Northface x Gucci puffer coat, spandex, New Balance sneakers, and a darling blue sweatshirt with a cartoon frog and the word Pleasing emblazoned on its chest. Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2022 But perhaps the most noteworthy feature of the spring- and summer-friendly piece are the darling faux pearl buttons at the bodice that add a charming touch to the entire number. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 25 Mar. 2022 Nothing says spring like pastel hues, and this baby-yellow, fur trim cardigan is too darling to pass up. Danielle Directo-meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2022 In addition to the new boss, this Window Shop experience features the charming Elana Scherr, the endearing Jonathon Ramsey, the darling K.C. Colwell, and some guy who has never ever been hired by Car and Driver. John Pearley Huffman, Car and Driver, 25 Feb. 2022 Ahead, find out where to buy XXL scrunchies that are equal parts cool and darling. Erin Parker, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2022 Prince William and Kate Middleton posted the shot, which of course includes a darling Princess Charlotte too, to Instagram. Abby Gardner, Glamour, 17 Dec. 2020 See More
Noun
Evan Mock, the charismatic downtown darling, bounced around the room. Ian Malone, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2022 The Portland Timbers, ever the late-season darling, are winners of four consecutive matches after a 1-0 victory over Minnesota United on a hazy Saturday night at Providence Park. oregonlive, 10 Sep. 2022 And now, with Abbott as the critical darling of the Emmys and the torchbearer for network sitcoms typically put out to pasture in today's streaming age, more people than ever are paying attention. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 9 Sep. 2022 The WeekTwitter Don't worry about going even a single day without more Olivia Wilde gossip, darling. Brendan Morrow, The Week, 8 Sep. 2022 The look was composed of a black gown adorned with white scribbles on the skirt, featuring words like love and darling in all caps, as well as hearts with arrows crossing through them. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Sep. 2022 The first feature film from now-A24 darling Ari Aster, Hereditary is all about the horrors hiding in your bloodstream. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2022 Dividend stocks have become the new darling on Wall Street, and investors looking for income are pouring billions of dollars into them. Lori Ioannou, WSJ, 5 Sep. 2022 The Wisconsin-Whitewater alum became a draft darling during the 2021 draft season and went on to start nine games last season at right guard with 15 appearances overall. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 2 Sep. 2022 Adjective
This pencil sign for the first or last day of school is both darling and so simple. Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 14 July 2022 Widen your horizons with a red Breton stripe, like this one with a darling bow toe at the back. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 2 May 2022 While out in London today, Olivia Wilde wore a beanie, red Northface x Gucci puffer coat, spandex, New Balance sneakers, and a darling blue sweatshirt with a cartoon frog and the word Pleasing emblazoned on its chest. Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2022 But perhaps the most noteworthy feature of the spring- and summer-friendly piece are the darling faux pearl buttons at the bodice that add a charming touch to the entire number. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 25 Mar. 2022 Nothing says spring like pastel hues, and this baby-yellow, fur trim cardigan is too darling to pass up. Danielle Directo-meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2022 In addition to the new boss, this Window Shop experience features the charming Elana Scherr, the endearing Jonathon Ramsey, the darling K.C. Colwell, and some guy who has never ever been hired by Car and Driver. John Pearley Huffman, Car and Driver, 25 Feb. 2022 Ahead, find out where to buy XXL scrunchies that are equal parts cool and darling. Erin Parker, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2022 Prince William and Kate Middleton posted the shot, which of course includes a darling Princess Charlotte too, to Instagram. Abby Gardner, Glamour, 17 Dec. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English derling, from Old English dēorling, from dēore dear
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
darling 1 of 2
noun
dar·ling ˈdär-liŋ
1
: a dearly loved person
2
: favorite entry 1
He is the darling of golf fans.
darling
2 of 2adjective
1
: dearly loved
Come here, darling child.
2
: very pleasing : charming
a darling little house
Geographical Definition
Darling
geographical name
Dar·ling ˈdär-liŋ
river 1702 miles (2738 kilometers) long in southeastern Australia in Queensland and New South Wales flowing southwest into the Murray River
darling 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in beloved
granted special treatment or attention they poured gifts and affection on their darling child Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- beloved
- cherished
- loved
- precious
- favorite
- dear
- sweet
- adored
- special
- favored
- pet
- fair-haired
- fond
- white-headed
- admired
- esteemed
- revered
- treasured
- appreciated
- relished
- preferred
- prized
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unbeloved
- despised
- hated
- detested
- abhorred
- disliked
- ignored
- disdained
- forgotten
- unfavorite
- abominated
- abandoned
- disfavored
- execrated
- loathed
- alienated
- estranged
2
as in adorable
having qualities that tend to make one loved a darling child that any couple would want to adopt Synonyms & Similar Words
- adorable
- dear
- sweet
- lovely
- precious
- beautiful
- loved
- lovable
- charming
- beloved
- endearing
- loveable
- winsome
- cherished
- winning
- enchanting
- attractive
- lovesome
- favorite
- delightful
- disarming
- treasured
- favored
- alluring
- cheerful
- desirable
- admirable
- kind
- appealing
- embraceable
- kissable
- fascinating
- captivating
- nice
- entrancing
- gracious
- fetching
- pleasant
- likable
- reputable
- pleasing
- engaging
- friendly
- respectable
- affable
- likeable
- agreeable
- genial
- good-natured
- good-tempered
- cordial
- well-disposed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- loathsome
- odious
- abominable
- detestable
- hateful
- abhorrent
- wretched
- horrible
- contemptible
- unloved
- disgusting
- disagreeable
- ugly
- unpleasant
- lousy
- hideous
- nasty
- offensive
- monstrous
- frightful
- heinous
- grotesque
- distasteful
- awful
- unlovable
- repugnant
- repulsive
- vile
- unattractive
- dreadful
- obnoxious
- scandalous
- horrid
- appalling
- repellent
- shocking
- revolting
- sickening
- ill-favored
- obscene
- unsightly
- unlikable
- horrendous
- ogreish
- foul
- nauseating
- noisome
- repellant
3
as in sweet
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses what a darling set of dishes! Synonyms & Similar Words
- sweet
- delightful
- delicious
- nice
- pleasant
- pleasing
- enjoyable
- good
- welcome
- heavenly
- pretty
- satisfying
- dreamy
- jolly
- tempting
- blessed
- luscious
- delectable
- soothing
- grateful
- comforting
- charming
- tasty
- amusing
- happy
- pleasurable
- comfortable
- gratifying
- felicitous
- savory
- agreeable
- congenial
- attractive
- desirable
- fascinating
- delightsome
- dulcet
- palatable
- savoury
- alluring
- blest
- enchanting
- cheerful
- enviable
- blissful
- inviting
- entertaining
- cheery
- gracious
- amiable
- calming
- kindly
- joyous
- relishable
- goodly
- glad
- hospitable
- affable
- ecstatic
- genial
- personable
- intoxicating
- rapturous
- diverting
- exhilarating
- good-natured
- recreative
- felicific
- euphoric
- elating
- gemütlich
- nirvanic
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- wretched
- disagreeable
- abominable
- miserable
- horrid
- unwelcome
- ghastly
- unpleasant
- disgusting
- obnoxious
- vile
- odious
- detestable
- sad
- hateful
- repugnant
- repulsive
- unpalatable
- flat
- irksome
- abhorrent
- boring
- distasteful
- insipid
- commonplace
- unsavory
- hellish
- offensive
- unhappy
- tedious
- dull
- yucky
- bilious
- repellent
- gloomy
- tragic
- dismal
- deplorable
- pleasureless
- annoying
- lamentable
- dreary
- doleful
- sorrowful
- lachrymose
- regrettable
- mournful
- exasperating
- vexing
- depressing
- irritating
- stale
- joyless
- lugubrious
- heartbreaking
- god-awful
- hostile
- aggravating
- disheartening
- revulsive
- yukky
- tragical
- repellant
- displeasing
- infuriating
- maddening
- perturbing
- dolorous
- heartrending
- dissatisfying
- distressing
- disturbing
- upsetting
- forbidding
- intimidating
- peeving
- enraging
- angering
- outraging
- rankling
- riling
- enflaming
- inflaming
- incensing
darling
2 of 2noun
1
as in favorite
a person or thing that is preferred over others for a while that candidate was the darling of the news media and could do no wrong Synonyms & Similar Words
- favorite
- pet
- dear
- fave
- minion
- preference
- beloved
- sweetheart
- speed
- cup of tea
- treasure
- prize
- jewel
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- bugbear
- anathema
- abomination
- bête noire
2
as in sweetheart
a person with whom one is in love anything you say, darling Synonyms & Similar Words
- sweetheart
- sweetie
- dear
- sweet
- beloved
- love
- lover
- girlfriend
- girl
- boyfriend
- wife
- husband
- boy
- hon
- honey
- flame
- mistress
- truelove
- sweetie pie
- bride
- squeeze
- gal
- beau
- doll
- lass
- fellow
- paramour
- pet
- swain
- admirer
- man
- tootsie
- inamorata
- amour
- gallant
- wooer
- steady
- ladylove
- groom
- escort
- fiancé
- date
- suitor
- heartthrob
- significant other
- duck(s)
- crush
- intended
- red horse chestnut
- red hot cattail
- red hots
- red in tooth and claw
- Red Indian
- red Indian paint
- red ink
- red inkberry
- red iron ore
- red ironbark
- red ironwood
- red ivory
- red jasmine
- red jessamine
- red juniper
- red kangaroo
- red kauri
- red king crab
- red lac
- Red Lake
- red larch
- red larkspur
- red lauan
- red laurel
- red laver