sweetheart
/ˈswiːthɑːt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈswiːthɑːrt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈswēt-ˌhärt/ (ame, mw)
sweetheart — noun
1. the person you love romantically and spend your life with, such as a boyfriend,
the person you love romantically and spend your life with, such as a boyfriend, girlfriend, or the person you intend to marry
Eri brought her sweetheart to the family dinner so everyone could meet him.
possessive + sweetheart
The old photograph shows Nadia and her high school sweetheart at their graduation dance.
high school sweetheart
Ilan asked his sweetheart to marry him during a walk along the river.
Every summer, Christopher and his sweetheart go camping in the mountains.
- boyfriend
refers specifically to a male romantic partner, more common in everyday speech
- girlfriend
refers specifically to a female romantic partner
- partner
gender-neutral and more common in formal or long-term relationship contexts
文法句型
possessive + sweetheart
sweetheart + of + noun phrase
2. a word used to call someone you love in a warm and caring way, especially a chil
a word used to call someone you love in a warm and caring way, especially a child, a romantic partner, or a close family member
"Don't worry, sweetheart. Everything will be fine," Élise said to her little boy.
direct address after comma
Wren called her grandmother on the phone and said, "Good night, sweetheart."
"Sweetheart, could you pass me the salt?" Yael asked her husband at the dinner table.
Tendai smiled at the crying child and said softly, "It is okay, sweetheart."
文法句型
used in direct address (calling someone)
用法筆記
Only used when speaking directly to someone (as a form of address), not when talking about them in the third person. For example, you say 'Come here, sweetheart' to your child, but you would not say 'She is a sweetheart' to mean you call her that — that belongs to sense 1 or sense 3 instead.
常見錯誤
3. a person who is very kind, generous, and thoughtful towards others
a person who is very kind, generous, and thoughtful towards others
Thank you for helping me move the furniture. Rohan, you are a real sweetheart.
you are a real sweetheart
Their neighbour Mrs. Chen is such a sweetheart; she brings soup whenever someone is sick.
such a sweetheart + reason clause
Be a sweetheart and pick up some milk on your way home, please.
My aunt is such a sweetheart; she knitted hats for every child in the family.
文法句型
be a sweetheart
be a real sweetheart
用法筆記
Often appears in expressions of thanks ("Thanks, you're a sweetheart") or in polite requests ("Be a sweetheart and..."). Likely to be used between people who know each other well.
sweetheart — adjective
1. relating to a dishonest arrangement between two parties, such as a business owne
relating to a dishonest arrangement between two parties, such as a business owner and a union representative, created secretly for their own gain while the workers lose out
The construction company was caught making a sweetheart deal with a city official.
sweetheart deal with…
Critics say the sweetheart deal between the factory owner and union boss hurt the workers.
sweetheart deal between…
The investigation revealed a sweetheart contract that gave the manager's brother an unfair advantage.
The mayor was accused of signing a sweetheart contract with a developer friend.
- backroom
suggests secret political or business decisions, e.g. 'backroom deal'
- under-the-table
more informal, often implies illegal payments or bribes
- transparent
open and honest, opposite of a secret unfair arrangement
- fair
just and equal for all sides involved
文法句型
sweetheart + deal/agreement/contract
用法筆記
Almost always used before the nouns "deal," "agreement," or "contract." The meaning is always negative and suggests dishonesty or corruption. Not used in other adjective positions — you would not say "this deal is sweetheart."