arm candy

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English

Etymology

Presumably derived from eye candy; the term has been attested in the USA since 1992.[1]

Pronunciation

  • Audio (General Australian):(file)
  • Hyphenation: arm can‧dy

Noun

arm candy (uncountable)

  1. (idiomatic) An attractive, seemingly romantic companion who accompanies a person in public simply so that one or both of the individuals can gain attention, enhance social status, or create an impression of sexual appeal.
    Synonym: armpiece
    • 1992 August 21, Marcia Froelke Coburn, “Marilyn’s enduring appeal”, in Chicago Tribune, archived from the original on 4 March 2016:
      All About Eve (1950, FoxVideo). [Marilyn Monroe had] already had mini-roles in eight movies when she turned up as George Sanders' arm candy in the party scenes of this film.
    • 2003 February 17, Jeffrey Ressner, “Shot on location”, in Time, archived from the original on 17 April 2016:
      Friends described her as always ready to serve as "arm candy"—that is, a pretty date—to industry players, in hopes of landing a role.
    • 2023 March 17, Ryan Gilbey, quoting Alexander Skarsgård, “Alexander Skarsgård: ‘There’s a politeness to Swedes. It’s a facade. Deep down we’re animals’”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
      James is arm candy. His wife buys him all these expensive clothes. The two of them look like something out of a travel brochure: the perfect couple on vacation.
  2. (rare) A luxury wristwatch or some other accessory worn on the wrist.
    • 2016 March, “Do You”, in Ebony, page 50:
      Beyond just looking the part, this arm candy is a world-class piece of technology.
    • 2024 October 8, Megan Uy, Tarah-Lynn Saint-Elien, “65+ Fall Prime Day Fashion Deals Your Closet Is Begging You to Shop”, in Cosmopolitan:
      Rack up your arm candy with this schmancy bangle, watch, and bracelet set from Anne Klein.

See also

References

  1. ^ Paul McFedries (1999 January 22) “arm candy”, in Word Spy, Logophilia Limited, retrieved 4 June 2017.

Further reading

  • arm candy”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.