sweetheart
sweetheart Lexical Profile
sweetheart Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A term of endearment or affectionate form of address used for a loved one, child, or friend.
"Put on your warm coat before we go outside, sweetheart."
A person with whom someone is romantically involved; a lover, boyfriend, or girlfriend.
"He married his high school sweetheart shortly after they both graduated from college."
A very kind, generous, helpful, or lovable person.
"Our neighbor is an absolute sweetheart who always checks in on us during winter storms."
• adjective
North American Arranged privately between two parties to offer privileged, unusually favorable terms to one or both sides, often to the detriment of others or the public.
"The investigation revealed that the developer had received a sweetheart deal on the city-owned land."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as a term of address among strangers or in professional settings, 'sweetheart' can be perceived as patronizing or overly familiar.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Originating in Middle English as the two-word phrase 'swete herte' around the late 13th century, it combined the Old English roots 'swēte' (pleasant) and 'heorte' (heart) as an affectionate term of address.