honey

hon-ey · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A sweet, sticky substance made by bees from flower nectar.

  2. 2.

    (informal) A term of endearment for a loved one.

  3. 3.

    An excellent example of something.

  4. 4.

    The yellowish-brown color of honey.

Forms

plural: honeys

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    honey trap — a scheme using romantic attraction to trap someone
  • •
    land of milk and honey — a place of abundance and prosperity
  • •
    catch more flies with honey than vinegar — kindness is more effective than harshness
  • •
    honeymoon — a vacation taken by newlyweds

Related words

See also: bee, nectar, sugar, sweet
Synonyms: darling, nectar, sweetener, sweetheart

Etymology

From Old English "hunig," from Proto-Germanic "hunagą," from Proto-Indo-European "kn̥h₂-onk-o-" (golden-colored substance). The word has cognates across Indo-European languages, suggesting that honey has been important to humans since prehistoric times. Cognate with German "Honig" and Dutch "honing."