term of endearment
5
3.7
- noun
- /tɜrm əv ɪnˈdɪr mənt/
- Informal
:
término cariñoso
- However, despite its negative connotations in the United States, in Cuba and Puerto Rico it is commonly used as a term of endearment, and it is found in many folk and composed songs in these countries.
- use a term of endearment
- other terms of endearment
I hate the term of endearment, baby.
- I hate the term of endearment, baby.
- He like calls her deer just as a term of endearment.
- This week we explore a term that is a term of endearment, a term of wonderment of all.
Examples
-
For participants like Jamuna, health care workers (who they call 'didi' -- which means elder sister, a term of endearment among Indians) have been instrumental in building health awareness in the household.
Blog text (16) -
If you don't know someone's name, the second best thing you can use is an appropriate term of endearment.
Blog text (32) -
A common term of endearment.
-
It's just a term of endearment.
-
It's a term of endearment.
-
But they kept calling him that until the name became a term of endearment the Angels used when talking about Gabriel even after he had grown up.
Fiction book (1990) -
It started as a tease and has stuck around as a term of endearment.
Blog text (4) -
Also, mommies like using cute little terms of endearment like "Honey Bunny" and "Sweetpea."
Blog text (16) -
A term of endearment is Peluches, meaning "pillows," more common in Cali than Medellin.
Blog text (13) -
She called him sweetheart as a term of endearment that made him smile.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A person you love very much
772
1.0
A word people use to address someone they care about, like dear
162
2.2
A person you love very much
29
1.0
A person you love or like very much
19
3.4
A person who is very much loved
11
8.2
A short, loving name for a partner or close friend
9
3.7
A word or short phrase used to show love to someone
6
8.1
A word used to show love or kindness to someone
5
7.5
A gentle name used for someone you love
4
5.1
A name people use to show love for a partner, child, or pet
2
8.4
A person you love or care about, often called this name to show love
2
8.2
A friendly word you use to call someone you love, like 'darling'
1
7.6
A loving name you use for someone you care about
1
9.9
A friendly way to call someone you like
1
9.9
A Persian word used to show love to someone
1
9.8
A French word used to call someone you love, like 'darling'
A word used to show love or warm feeling for someone, like 'darling'
A person you love and care about a lot
A loving name for someone you care about
A name someone uses to show love for a partner or close friend
A friendly informal word used to call someone, often in British English
A small playful act that shows love, like a hug or kiss
A friendly loving name for a child or someone you love
Antonyms
How Affectionate
Surface Forms
Morphology
term + of + endearment
The meaning 'a word or phrase used to express affection' is directly compositional from 'term' (a word or phrase) combined with 'endearment' (affectionate address), with 'of' serving as the linking preposition. This noun + of + noun pattern is semantically regular and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Term of endearment comes from the idea of a special term meaning a 'word' and endearment meaning 'making someone feel dear or loved', so these are the little words people use to show 'affection'.