a darling one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a darling one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to affectionately refer to someone or something that is endearing or beloved. Example: "She always brings a smile to my face; she's truly a darling one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There I am in another ball gown, giggling suggestively at an old goat - not for the first time - and there's a darling one in which I pull up my ball gown suggestively to show my wellies.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Her new novel focuses on Darling, one of a ragtag band of children from the short story.

The Guardian

My first remark on hearing the news was 'Snork will expect something out of this!' It seemed to me that the thing must infallibly bring on a severe attack of the gimmes in the little darling one.

The Guardian - Books

A couple years ago, I was live tweeting while watching Boutique, a film by Jincey Lumpkin, and Ela Darling, one of the stars, started following me.

Vice

At grownup bedtime, solace was to be found on the YouTube channel of ASMR Darling, one of the most popular personalities in the wellness whisper network.

The New Yorker

"But, darling," one of them said, "I know a borzoi when I see one.

The New Yorker

Rest in peace darling one.

The New York Times

I can't even end this or sign it.... Biasutti Hotel, Lido di Venezia MY DARLING ONE, I've nothing to tell you except over & over again that I love you & need you desperately.

The New Yorker

Yes, darling one, nothing changes but the changes, but even though the things we love and care for are targeted for destruction we can rise above it and stay strong.

Huffington Post

Moreover, the "clear blue water" David Cameron has opened up between Labour's plans and those of the Conservatives means a Tory election victory in 2010 would lead to increases below the Darling ones.

The Guardian

There they go, little darlings, one with the meat, the other with the cole slaw....oh, darn, almost made it, too.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a darling one" when you want to express genuine affection or endearment in a slightly old-fashioned or whimsical way.

Common error

Avoid using "a darling one" in formal or professional writing, as it can sound overly sentimental or out of place. Choose a more neutral expression of appreciation in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a darling one" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a term of endearment or affection. It is typically used to describe someone or something that is considered particularly lovable or pleasing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a darling one" is a grammatically correct phrase used to affectionately describe someone or something that is beloved. Though its frequency is rare, primarily appearing in News & Media, its purpose is to convey endearment or fondness, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. When writing, consider that the tone of "a darling one" is informal, making it more suitable for personal contexts rather than formal or professional communications. If a more neutral tone is needed, alternatives such as "a beloved one" or "a cherished one" are preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a beloved one

Replaces "darling" with "beloved", emphasizing the deep affection felt.

a cherished one

Substitutes "darling" with "cherished", highlighting the value and care associated with the person or thing.

a precious one

Uses "precious" instead of "darling", suggesting rarity and high worth.

a loved one

A more general term, replacing "darling" with "loved", focusing on the feeling of love.

a dear one

Replaces "darling" with "dear", a more traditional and slightly less intense expression of affection.

an adored one

Emphasizes the act of adoration, making the affection stronger than just 'darling'.

a treasured one

Highlights the act of treasuring, showing how much someone is valued.

a sweet one

Focuses on the person's pleasant and agreeable nature, changing the nuance slightly.

a delightful one

Emphasizes the joy and pleasure brought by the person, modifying the original affection.

a favored one

Suggests preference or special treatment, changing the meaning from simple affection.

FAQs

What does "a darling one" mean?

The phrase "a darling one" is used to affectionately refer to someone or something that is beloved or endearing. It's a term of endearment expressing fondness or love.

Is it appropriate to use "a darling one" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a darling one" is generally considered informal. In formal contexts, it's better to use more neutral or professional expressions of appreciation or affection, such as /s/a+beloved+one or /s/a+cherished+one.

What are some alternative ways to express affection other than "a darling one"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a beloved one", "a precious one", or "a loved one".

How can I use "a darling one" in a sentence?

You can use "a darling one" to refer to someone or something you deeply care about or find extremely endearing. For example, "She's truly a darling one, always bringing joy wherever she goes."