How do you use the word "darling" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "darling": Let's dance, my darling. What a darling outfit!

Darling Meaning

/ˈdɑːlɪŋ/

Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

nounOften used as an affectionate term of address: a person who is very dear to one.

nounA person who is kind, sweet, etc., and thus lovable; a pet, a sweetheart; also, an animal or thing which is cute and lovable.

Sentence Examples

Let's dance, my darling.

What a darling outfit!

My sweet darling, I miss you so much.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

pet dear favorite

Antonyms:

None

CEFR Practice Quiz

My ____ niece baked cookies for me yesterday afternoon.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

Let's dance, my ____.

Word Origin & History

The noun is derived from Middle English dereling, derelyng (“beloved person; beloved of God, devout Christian”), from Old English dīerling, dēorling (“favourite, darling; minion”), from Proto-West Germanic *diuriling, from Proto-Germanic *diurijalingaz, from *diurijaz (“beloved, dear; expensive”) (further etymology uncertain, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *dʰegʷʰ- (“hot, warm; to burn”), or *dweh₂- (“distant, long; to remove, separate”)) + *-ilingaz (suffix forming (diminutive) nouns with the sense of ‘belonging to; coming from’). By surface analysis, dear + -ling (suffix meaning ‘immature; small’). The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun. The verb is also derived from the noun.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"[I]t is better to be / An old mans derling than a yong mans werling." — 1546, John Heywood, chapter VII, in Julian Sharman, editor, The Proverbs of John Heywood. […], London: George Bell and Sons, […], published 1874, →OCLC, part II, page 138:

"Feare ye not (ô darling) on thy ſide deſtinie runneth." — 1582, Virgil, “The Firste Booke of Virgil His Aeneis”, in Richard Stanyhurst, transl., The First Foure Bookes of Virgils Æneis, […], London: […] Henrie Bynneman […], published 1583, →OCLC; republished as The First Four Books of the Æneid of Virgil, […], Edinburgh: [Edinburgh Printing Company], 1836, →OCLC, page 11:

"How ſhall I, void of tears, her death relate, / VVhile on her darling’s bed her mother ſate!" — 1714, J[ohn] Gay, “Friday; or, The Dirge”, in The Shepherd’s Week. In Six Pastorals, London: […] R. Burleigh […], →OCLC, page 47, lines 109–110:

"Sleep, sweet babe! my cares beguiling: / Mother sits beside thee smiling: / Sleep, my darling, tenderly!" — 1793–1817 (date written), S[amuel] T[aylor] Coleridge, “The Virgin’s Cradle-hymn. Copied from a Print of the Virgin, in a Catholic Village in Germany.”, in Sibylline Leaves: A Collection of Poems, London: Rest Fenner, […], published 1817, →OCLC, page 260:

"My first, last love; the idol of my youth, / The darling of my manhood, and, alas! / Now the most blessed memory of mine age." — 1842, Alfred Tennyson, “The Gardener’s Daughter; or, The Pictures”, in Poems. […], volume II, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 32:

Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words