honey
/'hʌni/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A sweet, viscous, golden-colored liquid: This is the primary meaning, referring to the natural sweet substance produced by bees from the nectar of flowers.
- A beloved person; a term of endearment: Used to address someone in an affectionate, loving way.
Verb:
- To sweeten or flavor with honey: The action of adding honey to something.
- To speak in a sweet, flattering, or endearing manner: To use sweet talk.
Adjective:
- Having the color of honey: A golden-yellow or amber color.
- Pleasing, sweet, or delightful: Used informally to describe something very agreeable.
Examples of Usage
Noun (Food Substance):
- She added a spoonful of honey to her tea.
- The honey from local bees has a unique flavor.
Noun (Term of Endearment):
- "Good morning, honey," he said to his wife.
- Come here, honey, and let me help you.
Verb:
- She honeyed her oatmeal for extra sweetness.
- He tried to honey his words to get what he wanted.
Adjective:
- She has beautiful honey-colored hair.
- That's a honey of an idea! (informal)
Advanced Usage
"Land of milk and honey": A place of abundance and prosperity.
- They emigrated seeking a land of milk and honey.
"To be honey to someone's ears": To be very pleasing or welcome news to hear.
- Her words of praise were honey to his ears.
Variants and Related Words
Honeyed (adj): Sweetened with or as if with honey; pleasing to the ear.
- He spoke in honeyed tones.
Honeybee (n): The common bee that produces honey.
- A honeybee collects nectar from flowers.
Honeypot (n): A pot for storing honey; (figuratively) something that attracts people in great numbers.
- The new café became a honeypot for students.
Synonyms
- Nectar: A sweet liquid, especially from plants (similar to the source material for honey).
- Sweetheart, Darling, Dear: Synonyms when used as a term of endearment.
- Amber, Golden: Synonyms for the color.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases
- Honey up to (someone) (informal): To flatter or be overly nice to someone, usually to gain favor.
- He's always honeying up to the boss before review season.
Related Idioms
"As sweet as honey": Extremely sweet or pleasant.
- Her voice is as sweet as honey.
"To have honey on one's lips and murder in one's heart": To speak kindly while having malicious intentions.
- Be careful of him; he often has honey on his lips and murder in his heart.
Adjective
- of something having the color of honey
Noun
- a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
- a sweet yellow liquid produced by bees
Verb
- sweeten with honey