Darling

UK: /ˈdɑː^rlɪŋ/ US: /ˈdɑrlɪŋ/ ,(där′ling)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

dar•ling /ˈdɑrlɪŋ/   n. [countable]

1. a person who is very dear to another;
   one who is dearly loved:
   My daughter is a little darling.

adj. 

2. [before a noun] very dear;
   dearly loved;
   cherished:
   my darling child.
3. charming;
   cute;
   lovable:
   What a darling baby!

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dar•ling  (där′ling), n. 

1. a person very dear to another;
   one dearly loved.
2. Sex and Gender (sometimes cap.) an affectionate or familiar term of address.
3. a person or thing in great favor;
   a favorite:
   She was the darling of café society.

adj. 

4. very dear;
   dearly loved:
   my darling child.
5. favorite;
   cherished.
6. [Informal.] charming;
   cute;
   lovable:
   What a darling baby!

• Middle English derling, Old English dēorling. See dear, -ling¹ bef. 900

dar′ling•ly, adv. 
dar′ling•ness, n. 

Dar•ling  (där′ling), n. 

Jay Nor•wood  (nôr′wŏŏd), ("Ding''), 1876–1962, U.S. political cartoonist.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

darling / ˈdɑːlɪŋ/ noun

1. a person very much loved: often used as a term of address
2. a favourite: the teacher's darling

adjective (prenominal)

1. beloved
2. much admired; pleasing: a darling hat

Etymology: Old English dēorling; see dear, -ling¹