Honey

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Honey

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun (and verb, adjective)

Pronunciation

HUN-ee  /ˈhʌni/

Definition

As a noun: a sweet, viscous, golden-brown food substance produced by bees from floral nectar, stored in honeycombs; (informal) a term of endearment for a beloved person. As a verb (informal): to sweeten or be sweet with. As an adjective: honey-coloured — a warm golden brown.

Plain meaning

Honey is the sweet, thick, golden substance that bees make from flower nectar. It is one of the oldest human foods, used as a sweetener, a medicine, and a preservative. Honey is also a term of endearment — calling someone honey means you love or care for them deeply.

Register

Neutral as a food word; warm and informal as an endearment. As a food ingredient, honey is neutral in culinary, medical, and agricultural contexts. As an endearment, it is warm and intimate — more American than British in everyday use. Honey as an adjective (honey-coloured) is descriptive and neutral.