sweetheart
gb/swˈithˌɑɹt/ us/swˈithˌɑɹt/
B1
English
~ 8200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
romantic partner you love deeply
A person you love romantically, like your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife.
Usage pattern:
to be [someone]'s sweetheart
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes write it as two words ("sweet heart"). It should always be written as one word when it means a romantic partner. Also, "sweetheart" is less common in modern casual speech than "boyfriend" or "girlfriend", so overusing it can sound old-fashioned or too sentimental.
Synonyms
darling (Very similar in meaning but used more often as a form of address; slightly more old-fashioned in some contexts.)
|
lover (Focuses more on the romantic and sexual relationship and can sound more serious or secret than "sweetheart".)
|
partner (More neutral and modern; does not sound especially cute or emotional like "sweetheart".)
Antonyms
enemy (An enemy is someone you strongly dislike or oppose, the opposite of a loved romantic partner.)
Collocations
my sweetheart
|childhood sweetheart
|high school sweetheart
|college sweetheart
|former sweetheart
|sweetheart back home
Themes
relationships
|emotions
|daily life
Examples
- After ten years together, he finally married his childhood sweetheart.
- She writes long emails to her sweetheart overseas every night.
- They met as college sweethearts and are still happily married.
- During the war, he kept a photo of his sweetheart in his pocket.
- I’m flying home this weekend to see my sweetheart.
Learner examples
- He wants to marry his sweetheart.
- She misses her sweetheart when he travels.
- My grandfather still sings to his old sweetheart.
- I met my first sweetheart at university.
- He bought a ring for his sweetheart.
Noun
informal
B1
entity
2
affectionate way of addressing someone
A pet name you say to someone you love, for example to your husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, or child.
Usage pattern:
to call [someone] 'sweetheart'
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "sweetheart" with strangers or in formal situations, which can sound rude, flirtatious, or inappropriate (for example, to a boss, a teacher, or someone you just met). It is safest to use it only with close family members or romantic partners, and usually in private or relaxed situations.
Synonyms
honey (Very close in meaning and also informal; in American English it may sound more common and slightly less old-fashioned than "sweetheart".)
|
darling (Similar affectionate address but can sound slightly more formal or old-fashioned, especially in British English.)
|
love (Common in British English as a casual, sometimes impersonal term of address; often used by shop staff, unlike "sweetheart" which is usually more personal.)
Antonyms
sir (A polite but distant form of address, contrasting with the intimate, affectionate tone of "sweetheart".)
Collocations
thanks, sweetheart
|listen, sweetheart
|okay, sweetheart
|come here, sweetheart
|it’s alright, sweetheart
Themes
relationships
|emotions
|family
|communication
Examples
- "Could you pass the salt, sweetheart?" he asked his wife.
- "It’s okay, sweetheart, don’t be afraid," the mother whispered to her child.
- "Thanks for waiting for me, sweetheart," she said to her husband.
- "Come here, sweetheart, let me fix your hair," Grandma said softly.
- "You did great, sweetheart," the coach told the little girl after the game.
Learner examples
- "Good night, sweetheart," she says to her son.
- "Thank you, sweetheart," he says to his wife.
- "It’s okay, sweetheart. I am here," the mother says.
- He calls his girlfriend "sweetheart" on the phone.
- The father says, "Come here, sweetheart," to his little girl.
Noun
informal
B1
entity
3
very kind and thoughtful person
A very kind and nice person who often helps other people.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a (real) sweetheart
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this meaning must be romantic. In this sense, "sweetheart" just means a very kind person and is often used for friends, family members, or even colleagues, with no romantic idea.
Synonyms
sweetie (Very similar in meaning and tone; sounds slightly more childish or playful than "sweetheart".)
|
angel (Figurative; emphasizes someone being very good and helpful, sometimes with a stronger sense of gratitude than "sweetheart".)
|
gem (Informal; focuses on someone being rare and special, not only kind but also valuable to have in your life.)
Antonyms
jerk (Informal; describes someone who behaves in a rude or selfish way, the opposite of a kind and considerate "sweetheart".)
Collocations
such a sweetheart
|a real sweetheart
|total sweetheart
|he’s a sweetheart
|she’s a sweetheart
|you’re a sweetheart
Themes
character
|emotions
|daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Our new manager is a real sweetheart and always listens to everyone.
- Thanks for bringing me soup when I was sick; you’re such a sweetheart.
- He may look tough, but he’s a total sweetheart once you get to know him.
- My neighbor is a sweetheart and often watches my kids after school.
- That was so thoughtful of you—you’re a sweetheart.
Learner examples
- My neighbor is a sweetheart. She helps me a lot.
- Thank you for your help. You are a sweetheart.
- He looks angry, but he is a sweetheart.
- Our teacher is a sweetheart. She is very kind.
- My sister is a sweetheart when I am sad.
Noun
C1
entity
4
overly favorable deal or contract
A deal or contract that is much too good for one side, often because of special friends or secret help, not because it is fair.
Usage pattern:
to make/sign a sweetheart deal with [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning is positive because it contains the word "sweet". In news and politics, "sweetheart deal" is usually critical, suggesting the deal is unfair or was given because of special connections, not because it was deserved.
Synonyms
sweet deal (Informal; means a very good deal but does not always suggest unfairness or favoritism as strongly as "sweetheart" often does.)
|
preferential deal (More formal and neutral; focuses on the fact that one party receives better conditions than others.)
|
inside deal (Emphasizes that the agreement was made using private information or connections; often clearly negative or suspicious.)
Antonyms
hard bargain (A negotiation or deal where neither side gets especially easy or generous terms, opposite of an overly generous "sweetheart" agreement.)
Collocations
sweetheart deal
|sweetheart contract
|sweetheart arrangement
|sweetheart tax break
|sweetheart loan
Themes
business
|politics
|law
Examples
- The company was criticized for receiving a sweetheart deal from the government.
- Investigators are examining a sweetheart contract awarded to the mayor’s brother-in-law.
- Opponents claim the tax cut is a sweetheart deal for large corporations.
- The union leadership was accused of agreeing to a sweetheart arrangement that hurt workers.
- Journalists uncovered a sweetheart loan given to the senator’s campaign manager.
Learner examples
- The small company got a sweetheart deal from the city.
- People are angry about the sweetheart contract with the big bank.
- The newspaper says the tax change is a sweetheart deal for rich people.
- The government denied that it made a sweetheart deal.
- They say the boss gave his friend a sweetheart deal.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sweetheart
IPA
GB/swˈithˌɑɹt/
US/swˈithˌɑɹt/
Syllables & stress
sweet - heart (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sweet)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sweetheart
- Plural: sweethearts
Word family
Expressions
be a real sweetheart
1/bˈi ə ɹˈil swˈithˌɑɹt/
fixed phrase
informal
be very kind and helpful
To be very kind and helpful to other people.
Examples
- Thanks for picking me up at the airport—you’re a real sweetheart.
- Our new neighbor is a real sweetheart and brought us cookies.
- He looks serious, but he’s a real sweetheart once you talk to him.
be such a sweetheart
1/bˈi sˈʌt͡ʃ ə swˈithˌɑɹt/
fixed phrase
informal
act in a very kind way
To do something very kind or helpful, so that someone wants to thank you warmly.
Examples
- You were such a sweetheart to stay with me at the hospital.
- She’s such a sweetheart for helping the new students find their classes.
- Thanks for cooking dinner—you’re such a sweetheart.
childhood sweetheart
1/t͡ʃˈaɪldhˌʊd swˈithˌɑɹt/
fixed phrase
romantic partner from childhood
A boy or girl you loved or dated when you were a child or young teenager, and often still remember later in life.
Examples
- He married his childhood sweetheart after they met again in their thirties.
- She still keeps photos of her childhood sweetheart in an old box.
- Many people dream of finding their childhood sweetheart on social media.
college sweetheart
1/kˈɑlɪd͡ʒ swˈithˌɑɹt/
fixed phrase
person you dated in college
A boyfriend or girlfriend you had in college or university, usually in a serious, long relationship.
Examples
- He moved abroad to live with his college sweetheart.
- She and her college sweetheart started a business together.
- My parents met as college sweethearts and never broke up.
high school sweetheart
1/hˈaɪ skˈul swˈithˌɑɹt/
fixed phrase
person you dated in high school
A boyfriend or girlfriend you had in high school, usually in a serious, long relationship.
Examples
- They’ve been together since they were high school sweethearts.
- She moved across the country to be with her high school sweetheart.
- He likes to tell the story of how he met his high school sweetheart in math class.
sweetheart contract
1/swˈithˌɑɹt kˈɑntɹˌækt/
fixed phrase
overly favorable labor or business contract
A written work or business agreement that gives one side too many good conditions, often because of secret or unfair help.
Examples
- Union members accused their leaders of signing a sweetheart contract with the company.
- The report described the agreement as a sweetheart contract that hurt taxpayers.
- Investigators are checking whether the sweetheart contract broke any laws.
sweetheart deal
1/swˈithˌɑɹt dˈil/
fixed phrase
unusually generous and unfair deal
A business or political agreement that is too good for one side, often because of special friends or secret help.
Examples
- Critics say the tax cut is a sweetheart deal for big oil companies.
- The investigation focuses on a sweetheart deal between the city and a real estate developer.
- Voters were angry when they learned about the sweetheart deal given to the contractor.