candy
candy
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "candy" is /ˈkæn.di/.
First Syllable (/kæn/):
/k/: voiceless velar plosive
/æ/: near-open front unrounded vowel
/n/: alveolar nasal
Second Syllable (/di/):
/d/: voiced alveolar plosive
/i/: close front unrounded vowel
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: candy
Plural Noun: candies
Verb (base form): candy
Verb (third-person singular present): candies
Verb (present participle): candying
Verb (past tense): candied
Verb (past participle): candied
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A sweet food product, often made primarily of sugar or other sweeteners, typically flavored, colored, and shaped, and consumed as a confection.
Synonyms: sweet, confection, bonbon, sugary treat
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; perhaps "savory snack" or "unsweetened food" as conceptual opposites)
A single piece of such a sweet food product.
Synonyms: piece of candy, sweet, confection
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Verb
To coat or preserve something with a sugar syrup or a sugary glaze, often for flavor or preservation.
Example: She candied the pecans for the salad.
Synonyms: glaze, sugar-coat, crystalize, sweeten
Antonyms: unsweeten, plain-coat
Examples of Use
Books:
"He remembered the old woman from his childhood who always offered him a piece of candy from her apron pocket." (From a work of fiction, e.g., The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain)
"The article delves into the history of candy production, from ancient honeyed treats to modern mass-produced confections." (From a non-fiction book, e.g., Sweetness and Power: The Place of Sugar in Modern History by Sidney W. Mintz)
Newspapers:
"The local bakery is hosting its annual candy decorating workshop for children this Saturday." (The Daily Chronicle)
"Health officials advise moderation in candy consumption during holiday seasons to prevent dental issues." (The Guardian)
Online Publications:
"Researchers are exploring new ways to create sugar-free candy that still satisfies the sweet tooth." (Science Daily)
"Our list of the top 10 nostalgic candies that will take you back to your childhood." (BuzzFeed)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I want my candy!" (Line from the movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, 1971)
Music: "Sugar, sugar, ah, honey, honey, You are my candy girl, and you've got me wanting you." (Lyrics from "Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies, 1969)
Television: "In this episode, contestants must create a dessert using only ingredients found in a candy store." (From a cooking competition show, e.g., MasterChef, various episodes)
Video Games: "Collect all the candy canes to unlock the special level!" (Instruction in a mobile puzzle game, e.g., Candy Crush Saga)
General Public Discourse:
"Mom, can I have some candy after dinner?" (Common request from a child)
"That car is pure eye candy – look at that sleek design!" (Figurative use, meaning visually appealing)
"He tried to candy-coat the bad news, but everyone knew the project was failing." (Figurative use, meaning to make something seem more palatable)
10 Quotes Using Candy
"Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." (From Forrest Gump, 1994, though the quote specifically mentions "chocolates" and implies candy as a category, a direct quote with "candy" from the film is: "I'd never given a lot of thought to candy before.")
"Every time I go into a store and I see a pack of gum, I buy it. It's like I'm addicted to candy." (Selena Gomez)
"I was walking down the street, and I saw a kid trying to steal a piece of candy from a store. I stopped him and said, 'Hey, you can't do that.' He looked at me and said, 'Why not? I'm just trying to get some candy for my mom.' I said, 'Well, that's nice, but you still can't steal it.'" (Mitch Hedberg)
"I'm like a kid in a candy store when it comes to books." (Unknown, common idiom)
"A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, in a most delightful way." (Mary Poppins, 1964, implying the pleasantness of candy-like sweetness)
"I'm not a big fan of candy, but I do love chocolate." (Miley Cyrus)
"I don't think there's any such thing as a bad candy." (Paula Deen)
"My ideal day is walking around a city, finding a great candy store, and just eating candy all day." (Chloe Sevigny)
"Happiness is like a piece of candy; it may not last forever, but it's sweet while it's here." (Unknown)
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." (From Elf, 2003, featuring Buddy the Elf's love for candy and syrup)
Etymology
The word "candy" has a sweet history! It actually comes from an old Arabic word, "qandī," which referred to something made of sugar, especially crystallized sugar or sugar candy. This Arabic word, in turn, came from a Persian word, "qand," which meant "cane sugar."
So, you can see a direct line from the plant that sugar comes from (sugar cane) to the word we use for those delicious treats.
The word "candy" first appeared in English around the late 14th or early 15th century. At that time, it was used to describe sugar that had been boiled and hardened, or sugar crystals. It referred specifically to crystallized sugar or a block of sugar, rather than the wide variety of sweets we call "candy" today. Over time, its meaning broadened to include all sorts of sugary confections.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Candy
Like a kid in a candy store: To be very excited and enthusiastic about a situation, especially one with many appealing options.
Eye candy: Something or someone that is visually attractive or pleasing to look at.
Candy-coat (or sugar-coat): To make something unpleasant or difficult seem more palatable or acceptable by presenting it in a more positive way.
Candy floss (British English) / Cotton candy (American English): A light, fluffy confection made from spun sugar.
Candy stripers: Volunteer hospital assistants, often recognized by their striped uniforms.
To take candy from a baby: To do something that is extremely easy or requires no effort.
Sweet as candy: Very pleasant or agreeable, often referring to a taste or a person's disposition.
Candy cane: A hard, striped, L-shaped or J-shaped peppermint-flavored stick candy, commonly associated with Christmas.
Mouth-watering candy: Describing candy that looks so good it makes you want to eat it.
To have a sweet tooth: To have a strong liking or craving for sweet foods, including candy.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of candy from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
