An Irish term of endearment meaning "my darling" or "my dear" — soft, warm, and unmistakably Irish. It's the kind of thing a grandmother says, or a lover, or anyone who wants to wrap someone in affection. Used in songs, literature, and everyday speech across Ireland, macushla carries generations of tenderness. Outside Ireland it's heard mainly in nostalgic or traditional contexts, but it never loses its warmth.
"Come here to me, macushla," she said, pulling the child into a hug that smelled of bread and rain.
Macushla means: An Irish term of endearment meaning "my darling" or "my dear" - soft, warm, and unmistakably Irish. It's the kind of thing a grandmother says, or a lover, or anyone who wants to wrap someone in. It is mainly Irish English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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Macushla means: An Irish term of endearment meaning "my darling" or "my dear" - soft, warm, and unmistakably Irish. It's the kind of thing a grandmother says, or a lover, or anyone who wants to wrap someone in. It is mainly Irish English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.
macushla means: An Irish term of endearment meaning "my darling" or "my dear" - soft, warm, and unmistakably Irish. It's the kind of thing a grandmother says, or a lover, or anyone who wants to. Register: informal, Irish English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
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(Ireland) My darling, my dear.
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