Which term means sweetheart and was popular as word of the year in 2014?

• A. Darling
• B. Honey
• C. Sweetie
• D. Bae

Answer: (D)

The idea here is recognizing a modern slang term that captured a large amount of online conversation in 2014 while also meaning a loved one. Bae fits both parts: it’s a casual term of endearment used for a sweetheart, and it surged in internet culture around 2013–2014, appearing in memes, posts, and headlines as people used it to refer to someone they care about. Its popularity during that year is why it’s identified with that moment in time.

The other terms are familiar, longstanding ways to address a loved one. Darling, honey, and sweetie have long been used as affectionate nicknames, but they didn’t emerge in 2014 as the standout internet-era term that defined that year’s slang landscape. That combination of meaning and distinctive rise in popularity is what makes bae the best choice.