Word
sweetheart
Phoneticssweet·heart, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈswitˌhɑɹt/
UK/swˈiːthɑːt/
Definitions
01romantic partner
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. someone you are in a romantic relationship with, especially when you are young.
n. a person with whom one is in a romantic relationship, often used to describe a first or youthful love.
“They were high school sweethearts and eventually got married ten years later.”
“The novel explores the lives of two childhood sweethearts who are separated by the war and struggle to find their way back to one another.”
02term of endearment
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. a friendly name you use when talking to a person you love or like.
n. a term of endearment used to address a romantic partner, a child, or occasionally a stranger in a friendly manner.
“Don't worry, sweetheart, we will find your lost toy in the morning.”
“The elderly shopkeeper often addressed her regular customers as sweetheart, a habit that reflected her warm and welcoming nature.”
03a kind person
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. a person who is very kind, helpful, and nice to everyone.
n. an exceptionally kind, generous, or agreeable person.
Español:dulzura
“Your brother is such a sweetheart for helping me move all those heavy boxes.”
“Everyone in the office agreed that the new manager was a total sweetheart, always taking the time to listen to her employees' concerns.”
Etymology
From Middle English swete heorte, swete hert (term of endearment); equivalent to sweet + heart.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Idioms
01. sweetheart deal
02. treacle
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/sweetheart
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0