candy

1 of 2

noun

can·​dy ˈkan-dē How to pronounce candy (audio)
plural candies
1
: crystallized sugar formed by boiling down sugar syrup
2
a
: a confection made with sugar and often flavoring and filling
b
: a piece of such confection
3
: something that is pleasant or appealing in a light or frivolous way
visual candy
candy adjective

candy

2 of 2

verb

candied; candying

transitive 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
candying up the duke's reputation
3
: to crystallize into sugar

intransitive verb

: to become coated or encrusted with sugar crystals : become crystallized into sugar

Examples of candy in a Sentence

Noun The cough syrup tastes like candy. Verb the publisher hopes the flashy cover will candy up the novel for impulse buyers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Legoland California’s family-friendly Halloween party returns for another not-too-spooky season of not-so-scary frights filled with character meet-and-greets, live shows, ride overlays, seasonal food and plenty of trick-or-treating candy stations spread throughout the park. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025 Unit sales of various candies, chips, soda and other sweet and salty snacks since last year, according to earnings reports from companies like PepsiCo, General Mills and Campbell’s. Emma Sandler, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
Once out of the oven, slather the rolls with a rich brown butter cream cheese frosting and finish with a sprinkle of homemade candied walnuts for crunch. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025 The finish is long and satisfying, layering cinnamon-vanilla frosting and candied orange with waves of sweet oak and a lingering touch of allspice, according to a news release. Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for candy

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1537, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of candy was circa 1537

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Cite this Entry

“Candy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/candy. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

candy

1 of 2 noun
can·​dy ˈkan-dē How to pronounce candy (audio)
plural candies
: a sweet made of sugar often with flavoring and filling

candy

2 of 2 verb
candied; candying
: to coat or become coated with sugar
especially : to cook (fruit or fruit peel) in sugar syrup

More from Merriam-Webster on candy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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