eye-candy
/ˈaɪ ˌkæn.di/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Something that looks very attractive but has little real value or depth. People often use it for people, objects, or media that are designed to please the eye.
- The ad was just eye-candy.
- That movie is pure eye-candy.
- The website is eye-candy, but hard to use.
Adinary Nuance
Eye-candy is more playful and more critical than beautiful or attractive. It suggests looks first, and little substance behind them. Compared with eye-catching, it often sounds a bit dismissive. Writers use it when something is nice to see, but not very useful or serious.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- mãn nhãn
- Spanish
- un deleite visual
- Chinese
- 视觉享受
- Japanese
- 目の保養
- Korean
- 눈요기
Etymology
Eye-candy is an informal compound from English, first used in the late 20th century. It combines “eye” and “candy” to suggest something pleasing to look at.
Common phrases
pure eye-candyjust eye-candyvisual eye-candy
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is eye-candy formal or informal?
- It is informal. It is common in speech, reviews, and casual writing.
- Is eye-candy a compliment?
- Sometimes, but often it sounds mildly critical. It means something looks good, but lacks depth.
- What is the difference between eye-candy and eye-catching?
- Eye-catching means it gets attention. Eye-candy means it looks attractive, often without much substance.
- Can I use eye-candy for people?
- Yes, but it can sound objectifying or rude. Be careful with people.