Word
candy
Phoneticscan·dy, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkændi/
UK/kˈændi/
日本語キャンディー、お菓子※
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. sweet food made mostly of sugar. In British English, people usually call these sweets.
n. a confection made primarily of sugar or syrup, often combined with fruit, chocolate, or nuts.
Examples
“The children bought some candy at the store.”
“The dentist warned the patient that eating too much sticky candy could damage their teeth over time.”
“Artisanal confectioners often use traditional copper kettles to ensure the candy reaches the precise temperature required for a smooth, glass-like finish.”
Examples
simple
“The children bought some candy at the store.”
contextual
“The dentist warned the patient that eating too much sticky candy could damage their teeth over time.”
complex
“Artisanal confectioners often use traditional copper kettles to ensure the candy reaches the precise temperature required for a smooth, glass-like finish.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the substance in general; countable when referring to specific types or individual pieces.
Pitfall
I bought many candies
I bought some candy
In American English, 'candy' is usually uncountable when referring to a collection of sweets; 'candies' is reserved for distinct varieties.
Etymology
From Venetan and Latin Candia, from Ancient Greek Χάνδαξ (Khándax) or Χάνδακας (Khándakas), from Arabic رَبْض الخَنْدَق (rabḍ al-ḵandaq) (in particular Arabic خَنْدَق (ḵandaq), borrowed from Middle Persian *handag (whence Classical Persian هندک (handak, “moat”))), name of the Cretan city of Heraklion under the Emirate of Crete.
From Portuguese Candea, from Tamil கண்டி (kaṇṭi), possibly further from Sinhalese, ultimately from Sanskrit खण्ड (khaṇḍa).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. arm candy
02. brain candy
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/candy
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0