What does sweetheart mean?
A sweetheart is someone who inspires strong romantic affection or whom the speaker addresses with tender affection. It can also describe a person who is especially popular or admired, as in “the sweetheart of the community,” and in informal business language it refers to an unusually advantageous agreement. These meanings share an atmosphere of favor, charm, and emotional warmth. In personal use, the word may sound affectionate, nostalgic, or deliberately old-fashioned, while its business use suggests unusually favorable treatment rather than merely a pleasant arrangement. As a verb, “sweetheart” means to court or flirt with someone and is now uncommon.
A person one loves or is especially fond of; also, an affectionate form of address for a loved one, darling, or child. It can additionally mean a particularly pleasing or favored person, or an unusually favorable agreement.
"Her old school sweetheart sent a telegram to congratulate her."
The term of endearment is affectionate but often traditional or old-fashioned. In business contexts, “sweetheart deal” and “sweetheart agreement” are informal expressions for especially favorable arrangements.
To court or flirt with someone as a sweetheart.
"They sweethearts through the entire summer before their relationship became official."
This verb is uncommon and sounds informal and dated.
Used when referring to multiple loved ones, popular people, or multiple parties to favorable agreements.
"The team's two sweethearts were welcomed by a large crowd."
From the beginning, a sweetheart has literally been a heart made sweet by affection.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sweetheart come from?
“Sweetheart” is a compound formed in English from “sweet” and “heart.” The word “sweet” originally referred to a pleasant taste or smell and developed figurative senses involving kindness, affection, and emotional pleasure. Combined with “heart,” it expressed someone or something regarded as especially lovable or beloved; later, the compound was extended to describe highly favorable agreements.
Related word forms
How sweetheart is actually used
As a term of endearment, sweetheart is warm and affectionate but can sound old-fashioned in formal conversation. The business sense is generally informal and often suggests that the terms of an agreement are unusually favorable to one party. The verb is uncommon and has a dated or informal flavor.
Easily confused with sweetheart
Both can be affectionate forms of address, but a sweetheart more often suggests romantic attachment, while darling can express affection in a wider range of relationships and contexts.