Darling meaning in English

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Definition

(Hello,) darling: (Hello,) dear, beloved, my love, sweetheart, precious noun

Examples

  • "Betty : Bruno? Darling?"
  • "Gloria : Darling, you said wanted to see everything."
  • "My darling wife, Sophie, gave birth to the seven-pound two-ounce cutie at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon."
  • "Cabbie : Don't worry about the film darling, you won't be watching the screen!"
  • "Brian : Ok, darling."
  • "Gloria : Darling, you said you wanted to see everything."
  • "Betty: Why are you crying, darling?"
  • "Cabbie : No, not me darling, but I could do if you like."
  • "Girl : Philip, darling, where do you keep the coffee?"
  • "Betty : Bruno darling?"
  • "Beach friend : Come and put some cream on my back, darling."
  • "Thanks darling."
  • "Donna : Oh darling."
  • "Bethany : Oh that's ok darling, I only just got here myself."
  • "You're a media darling!"
  • "Will flexible working hours be possible once the little darling is born?"
  • "Beach friend ​​​​​​​: What, darling?"
  • "Cabbie : Alright, darling!"
  • "ALRIGHT LUV / DARLIN' (Hello madam)"
  • "Come on Brian darling!"
Exercise 1
Imagine that you are Sophie, and want to reply to Bob's letter.

Which would be the most appropriate informal way to begin your love letter?
Imagine that you are Sophie, and want to reply to Bob's letter.

Which would be the most appropriate informal way to begin your love letter?
It is inappropriate to use such a formal construction in a love letter. Moreover, Sophie knows her husband's name, so it does not make sense to use a construction without a name.
It does not make sense to begin a letter with this greeting. We only use the expressions "good morning", "good afternoon", and "good evening" when talking out loud to a person.
This is an inappropriate way to begin a love letter. It does not make sense to refer to one's husband with his title and surname: this construction is too formal for people involved in a romantic relationship.
"Darling Bob" is the most appropriate way to begin a love letter. "Darling" is a term of endearment which is used when talked to loved ones. It therefore makes sense for a wife to use it when writing to her husband. Example: "My darling daughter, I miss you very much".
This construction is never used to begin a letter. If we are not sure of the gender of our correspondent, we write "Dear Sir or Madam".
It does not make sense to use such a formal construction in this context. Moreover, there is only one recipient of Sophie's love letter.
Exercise 2
Luna begins her email with "Dear Sir or Madam,". How else could she have written this, keeping the same tone and meaning?

There may be more than one correct answer!
Luna begins her email with "Dear Sir or Madam,". How else could she have written this, keeping the same tone and meaning?

There may be more than one correct answer!
This is the only correct choice here. We use the constructions "To whom it may concern," and "Dear Sir or Madam," when we are writing a formal letter or email to someone we do not know. If we know the name of the person we're writing to, we can put "Dear Mr. Smith", and if we only know their gender, we can use "Dear Sir", etc!
The term "dearest" is used to address a close friend, family member, or lover. It is not appropriate in the context of a formal email.
"Ladies and gentlemen" is a greeting used when addressing an audience. Example: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the San Francisco Opera House. The show will begin in 3 minutes, so please take your seats". We do not use this expression in written English.

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