sugarplum
sugarplum Lexical Profile
sugarplum Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A small, round piece of hard candy or dragée made of boiled sugar, often formed around a seed, nut, or spice, or made from dried fruit and chopped nuts.
"The children fell asleep on Christmas Eve with visions of sweet sugarplums dancing in their heads."
A term of endearment for a beloved person, especially a child or romantic partner.
"Goodnight, my little sugarplum, sleep tight until morning."
Something very pleasing, desirable, or enticing, such as a bribe or a promised reward.
"The committee dangled the sugarplum of a generous tax break to attract new businesses to the district."
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the early 17th century as a compound of 'sugar' and 'plum'; historically, these confections contained no actual plums, but were named for their small, round, plum-like shape.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.