arm candy

IPA/ˈɑːm kændi/
IPA/ˈɑːrm kændi/

arm candy — 名詞

1. an attractive person who is brought along to a party, dinner, or public event so

1.名詞B2
釋義

社交花瓶

為炫耀而攜伴出席的迷人對象

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

例句

The executive arrived at the gala with an arm candy who smiled for every photo.

那位主管帶著名社交花瓶出席晚宴，她對著每張鏡頭微笑。

collocation: bring / arrive with arm candy

Some celebrities treat their dates like arm candy rather than as real partners.

有些名人把約會對象當成社交花瓶，而不是真正的伴侶。

collocation: treat someone like arm candy

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

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

❌He brought his arm candy to the meeting' (for a serious professional event).
✅He brought his partner to the meeting.
💡'arm candy' implies a social occasion where appearance matters, not a professional setting.
❌She is my arm candy, and I love her deeply.
✅She is my partner, and I love her deeply.
💡'arm candy' reduces a person to their appearance; it is not a term of affection.

2. a noticeably young and attractive person who spends time at social events with s

2.名詞C1
釋義

嫩伴

陪伴年長者社交的年輕伴侶

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

例句

The sixty-year-old businessman appeared at the party with a young arm candy on his arm.

那位六十歲的商人挽著名嫩伴出席派對。

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.

記者們開玩笑說，那位女演員年紀輕輕，足以被視為她年長約會對象的嫩伴。

collocation: be seen as arm candy

同義詞
  • 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.

常見錯誤

❌My girlfriend is my arm candy' (for a same-age relationship).
✅My girlfriend is my partner.
💡Use sense 2 only when there is a notable age difference and the companion is seen as a status ornament.