sweetheart
Pluralsweethearts
- 1An affectionate way of addressing someone, especially a lover or a child.
"Don't cry, sweetheart," she said, lifting the boy onto her lap.
"I'll be home by six, sweetheart," he told his wife over the phone.
Similardarling, honey, sweetie, dear, love
Note
The endearment came first: Middle English swete hert was a phrase said to someone dear before it closed up into one word that could also name the loved person. Shakespeare already strings it among other pet names in a single breath, Lamb, Lady, Love, Madam, sweetheart, Bride, all to rouse a sleeper who will not answer.
- 2A person whom someone loves or is very fond of, especially when both partners are young.
The two were college sweethearts who married the summer after graduation.
He carried a photo of his sweetheart all through basic training.
Similargirlfriend, boyfriend, beloved, lover
Note
The word likes company that dates a romance to youth: John married his high-school sweetheart; the two were college sweethearts. In the plural it names both partners at once, as a pair, so a couple can be sweethearts the way two people can be friends.
- 3
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English swete hert, swete heorte, a phrase of endearment; equivalent to sweet + heart.