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Darling vs Girlfriend - What's the difference?

darling | girlfriend |

As a proper noun darling

is , originally a nickname from darling.

As a noun girlfriend is

a female partner in a romantic relationship.

darling

English

Alternative forms

* (informal) *

Noun

(en noun)
  • A person who is dear to one.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1959, author=(Georgette Heyer), title=(The Unknown Ajax), chapter=1
    • , passage=But Richmond, his grandfather's darling , after one thoughtful glance cast under his lashes at that uncompromising countenance appeared to lose himself in his own reflections.}}
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011, date=December 15, author=Felicity Cloake, work=Guardian
    • , title= How to cook the perfect nut roast , passage=If there's such a thing as pariah food – a recipe shunned by mainstream menus, mocked to near extinction and consigned to niche hinterlands for evermore – then the nut roast, a dish whose very name has become a watchword for sawdusty disappointment, is surely a strong contender. One of the darlings of the early vegetarian movement (particularly in its even sadder form, the cutlet), it was on the menu at John Harvey Kellogg's Battle Creek Sanitarium [sic], and has since become the default Sunday option for vegetarians – and a default source of derision for everyone else.}}

    Synonyms

    * * * *

    Derived terms

    * media darling

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Dear; cherished.
    • She is my darling wife of twenty-two years.
  • charming
    • Well isn't that a darling little outfit she has on.

    Usage notes

    darlinger is rarely used.

    Anagrams

    * English affectionate terms

    girlfriend

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A female partner in a romantic relationship.
    • Marc went to the park with his girlfriend and watched the sunset with her.
  • A female friend.
    • Mary always enjoyed hanging out with her girlfriend Jessica.

    Synonyms

    * (female friend) chickfriend (slang)

    Usage notes

    * The term is used to describe any girl or woman in a romantic relationship with another person. * An adult woman in such a non-marital relationship is sometimes described instead as a significant other'' or ''partner'', especially if the two partners are living together. Since ''girlfriend'' and ''partner mean different things to different people, the distinctions between the terms are subjective, and which term is used in a relationship will ultimately be determined by personal preference. * The use of girlfriend for a female non-romantic friend of another female is limited in geographic distribution and sometimes preferred by older generations of speakers.

    Alternative forms

    * girl friend * girl-friend

    See also

    female partner in a romantic relationship * boyfriend * * lover * partner * significant other * sweetheart * wife * lady friend a female friend * boyfriend * buddy * friend * pal