hunny and honey

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Two spellings of the same word: the standard 'honey' and the informal, affectionate 'hunny'.

   Grammar: Used mainly when talking about spelling or style; 'hunny' is not standard in formal writing.

   Patterns

   • hunny or honey
   • spelled 'hunny' instead of 'honey'

   The label on the jar said 'hunny', a cute spelling of honey.

   People often ask whether 'hunny and honey' are two different words; they are just two spellings.

   In the story, the bear loves hunny, which is simply an old-fashioned way to write honey.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   A way to compare the sweet food 'honey' with the same word used as a loving name for someone.

   Grammar: This sense is about the two uses of 'honey', not about 'hunny' as a separate word.

   Patterns

   • honey as food and honey as a name
   • call someone honey

   She put honey in her tea and then called her daughter 'honey'.

   The word 'honey' can mean the sweet food or a loving name for a person.

   In the southern United States, 'honey' is a common way to address someone kindly.

Common combinations

a jar of honey

He bought a jar of honey at the market.

spell it 'hunny'

Some children spell it 'hunny' because of the cartoon bear.

honey and lemon

She likes honey and lemon in her tea.

call someone 'honey'

The waitress called everyone 'honey'.

Synonyms and how they differ

dear

A similar affectionate name for someone, but 'honey' is sweeter and more common in American English.

sweetie

Also affectionate, but it sounds more playful or childish than 'honey'.

Word family

honey noun

The standard spelling for the sweet food made by bees and for a loving name.

hunny noun

A nonstandard, affectionate spelling of 'honey', used mainly in stories or jokes.

honeyed adjective

Sweet like honey, or (of words) soft and flattering.

Commonly confused: hunny and honey or honey? hunny and honey or hunny?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “hunny and honey”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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