arm candy

noun

Etymology

Presumably derived from eye candy. The term has been attested in the US since 1992.

Definitions

  1. An attractive, seemingly romantic companion who accompanies a person in public solely so…

    An attractive, seemingly romantic companion who accompanies a person in public solely so that one or both of the individuals can gain attention, enhance social status, or create an impression of sexual appeal.

    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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. A luxury wristwatch or some other accessory worn on the wrist.

    • Beyond just looking the part, this arm candy is a world-class piece of technology.
    • Rack up your arm candy with this schmancy bangle, watch, and bracelet set from Anne Klein.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for arm candy. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA