What is the Latin word for sweetheart?

The usual Latin words for “sweetheart” are dīligō, amīcus, amō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“sweetheart” in Latin

dīligōto esteem, prize, love, have regard, to delight in (something); to set apart by choosing, to single (something) out, to amīcusfriendly, well-disposed, amicable; loyal, devoted to; supporting, propitious, helpful amōto love; to be fond of, like, admire; to be pleased by or with (someone or something) for (a particular reason); to deri

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

sweetheart

dilecta (general term; e.g., Plin., 35, 11, 37: ☞ amata does not occur): amica (in a dishonorable sense). My sweetheart, amor noster: deliciae meae: voluptas nostra: to have a sweetheart, aliquam diligere (with reference to a particular person, in a good sense); amare (in a bad sense): to have many sweethearts, multos amare.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for sweetheart?: The usual Latin words for “sweetheart” are dīligō, amīcus, amō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.