Definition

1. Noun:

   • A person loved by another person; a romantic partner: "sweetheart" most commonly refers to someone with whom one is in a romantic relationship, often used as a term of endearment.
   • A very kind, likable, or agreeable person: "sweetheart" can describe any individual who is well-liked, pleasant, or generous in nature.
   • (Archaic) A very attractive or seductive-looking person: This older usage, often applied to a woman, emphasizes physical allure.

2. Adjective:

   • Denoting an agreement or deal made through private or preferential connections, often unfairly: "sweetheart" describes contracts or arrangements, typically between a union and a company or between governments and corporations, that are suspiciously favorable, sometimes due to corruption or favoritism.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • He sent flowers to his sweetheart on Valentine's Day. (He sent flowers to his romantic partner.)
  • My grandfather still calls my grandmother "sweetheart." (My grandfather still uses this term of endearment for my grandmother.)
  • Thanks for helping me move; you're a real sweetheart. (Thanks for helping; you are a very kind person.)

• Adjective:

  • The senator was accused of arranging a sweetheart deal for the construction company. (The senator was accused of arranging a suspiciously favorable deal.)
  • The union leaders negotiated a sweetheart contract with management. (The union leaders negotiated a contract that was unusually favorable, possibly to the detriment of the workers.)

Advanced Usage

• "sweetheart neckline": A style of clothing neckline, especially on a dress or top, that is curved downward at the front, somewhat resembling the top of a heart.

  • She wore a beautiful gown with a sweetheart neckline to the gala.

• "sweetheart rose": A specific, small type of rose, often given as a romantic gift.

  • He gave her a bouquet of sweetheart roses.

Variants and Related Words

• Sweethearting (n, archaic): The act of courting or wooing someone.
• Sweet (adj): Having the pleasant taste characteristic of sugar or honey; pleasant, kind. (This is the root adjective from which "sweetheart" is derived).

Synonyms

• Noun (romantic partner): Darling, beloved, love, dearest, honey.
• Noun (kind person): Angel, dear, gem.
• Adjective (deal): Preferential, cozy, insider, corrupt.

Related Phrases

• Sweetheart deal: The full phrase for the adjectival use, meaning an unfairly advantageous agreement.
  • The investigation uncovered several sweetheart deals between the city and developers.

Related Idioms

• To be a sweetheart about something: To be very accommodating or good-natured when dealing with a difficult situation.
  • She was a real sweetheart about changing her schedule at the last minute.

Adjective

1. privileged treatment of a favored person or corporation (sometimes unethically)
   • another sweetheart deal based on political influence

Noun

1. a very attractive or seductive looking woman
2. any well-liked individual
   • he's a sweetheart
3. a person loved by another person