eye candy

Definition

A very attractive person or persons, or the salient visible physical attributes thereof.

Etymology

From eye + candy. Early-1980’s US TV and advertising jargon, perhaps influenced by earlier nose candy (“cocaine”).

Example Sentences

• "I'm going to the beach to check out some eye candy."
• "But despite his claims that NBC would become “the class act,” not all of [Fred] Silverman's changes seemed aimed in direction of excellence. Unfortunately his rationale for eschewing exploitative “eye candy” seemed to apply to more serious sex-related ventures as well."
• "In 1986, Schubach hired a petite 23-year-old named Patricia Schmidt to be his assistant. She told us that her main job was to be “eye candy,” but her other duties included answering the phones. That put her in regular contact with Epstein."