M-W's Word of the Day Newsletter: Darling - plus, name that synonym


Published by M-W's Word of the Day on May 12th, 2019 6:26am. 217 views.


Follow M-W's Word of the Day: Website




Merriam-Webster since 1828

 
 
Merriam-Webster  
 
WORD OF THE DAY
May 12, 2019
 
 
 
 
 

darling Audio pronunciation

 
noun | DAHR-ling  
 
Definition
 
:
a dearly loved person
 
:
 
Scroll down for more about darling
 
 
 
 
PEOPLE ARE READING
 
 
 
WORD GAMES AND QUIZZES: WEEKLY CHALLENGE
 
 
 
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
 
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
 
  PLAY NOW  
 
Nailed this quiz? We have plenty more to try!  TAKE ME THERE  >
 
 
 
Did You Know?
 
The origins of darling can be found in the very heart of the English language, and examples of its use are found in Old English writings from the 9th century. The Old English dēorling was formed by attaching the Old English suffix -ling ("one associated with or marked by a specified quality") with the adjective dēore, the ancestor of our adjective dear ("regarded very affectionately or fondly," "highly valued or esteemed," "beloved"). English speakers appear to have developed a fondness for darling and have held on to it for well over a thousand years now. And though its spelling has changed over time—including variations such as dyrling, derlinge, and dearlingdarling has maintained its original sense of "one dearly loved."
 
 
Examples of DARLING
 
The youngest of three children, he was always his parents' little darling.
 
"Once reticent to share anything about herself with fans and the media, thinking it was cooler to be mysterious, the critical darling and dance world entrepreneur is now open and forthright…."
Katie Bain, Billboard.com, 28 Mar. 2019
 
Name That Synonym
 
Fill in the blanks to complete an Irish-derived synonym of darling: a _ o _ r _ e _ n.
 
VIEW THE ANSWER  >
 
 
 
 
WORDS AT PLAY
 
 
Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)
 
Once you learn these rare words, we challenge you to use them in conversation
 
 
 
 
 
  MORE WORD FUN: