arm candy
arm candy — noun
1. an attractive person who is brought along to a party, dinner, or public event so
an attractive person who is brought along to a party, dinner, or public event so that the person who invites them looks more impressive or successful to others
The executive arrived at the gala with an arm candy who smiled for every photo.
collocation: bring / arrive with arm candy
Some celebrities treat their dates like arm candy rather than as real partners.
collocation: treat someone like arm candy
A famous actor brought an arm candy to the awards ceremony last night.
The film premiere was full of stars parading their arm candy on the red carpet.
Old-fashioned gossip columns often described a celebrity's date as arm candy.
- trophy date
more openly transactional; implies the companion is a status symbol
- eye candy
broader — refers to any attractive person one looks at, not necessarily someone accompanying you
- ornament
more literary and dismissive; suggests purely decorative function
- equal partner
someone valued for who they are, not how they look
文法句型
be arm candy
bring someone as arm candy
用法筆記
This sense focuses on the display purpose — the person is brought along specifically to create a good impression. The term is mildly dismissive and should be used with care.
常見錯誤
2. a noticeably young and attractive person who spends time at social events with s
a noticeably young and attractive person who spends time at social events with someone much older, often because the older person wants to appear more youthful or fashionable
The sixty-year-old businessman appeared at the party with a young arm candy on his arm.
collocation: with + young arm candy + on one's arm
Reporters joked that the actress was young enough to be seen as arm candy for her older date.
collocation: be seen as arm candy
At the fashion show, older designers often arrived with arm candies half their age.
The politician arrived with an arm candy who drew more gossip than his speech at the dinner.
The director was criticised for treating his young partner like arm candy at the premiere.
- trophy wife
gender-specific (female) and implies marriage, not a casual date
- boy toy
gender-specific (male) and more sexualised; even less respectful
- young escort
more neutral/transactional; lacks the informal flavour of 'arm candy'
文法句型
be arm candy
serve as arm candy
用法筆記
This sense specifically emphasises a visible age gap. Distinguish from sense 1 (ATTRACTIVE DATE): sense 1 applies regardless of age and focuses on the purpose of impressing others, while sense 2 highlights the younger age of the companion relative to the older partner.