Definition of 'sweet'

Word Frequency

sweet

(swiːt )

Word forms: comparative sweeter , superlative sweetest , plural sweets

1. adjective

Sweet food and drink contains a lot of sugar.

...a mug of sweet tea.

If the sauce seems too sweet, add a dash of vinegar.

...the sweet taste of wild strawberries.

Synonyms: sugary, sweetened, cloying, honeyed [poetic] More Synonyms of sweet

sweetness uncountable noun

Florida oranges have a natural sweetness.

2. countable noun

Sweets are small sweet things such as toffees, chocolates, and mints.

[British]regional note: in AM, use candy

3. variable noun

A sweet is something sweet, such as fruit or a pudding, that you eat at the end of a meal, especially in a restaurant.

[British]

The sweet was a mousse flavoured with coffee.

regional note: in AM, use dessert

Synonyms: dessert, pudding, afters [British, informal], last course More Synonyms of sweet

4. adjective

A sweet smell is a pleasant one, for example the smell of a flower.

...the sweet smell of her shampoo.

She'd baked some bread which made the air smell sweet.

5. adjective

If you describe something such as air or water as sweet, you mean that it smells or tastes pleasantly fresh and clean.

I gulped a breath of sweet air.

...a stream of sweet water.

Synonyms: fresh, clean, pure, wholesome More Synonyms of sweet

6. adjective

A sweet sound is pleasant, smooth, and gentle.

Her voice was as soft and sweet as a young girl's.

...the sweet sounds of Mozart.

Synonyms: melodious, musical, harmonious, soft More Synonyms of sweet

sweetly adverb [usually ADVERB with verb]

He sang much more sweetly than he has before.

7. adjective

If you describe something as sweet, you mean that it gives you great pleasure and satisfaction.

[written]

There are few things quite as sweet as revenge.

...the sweet taste of illicit love.

His success was all the sweeter for being at the expense of Europe's most admired team.

Synonyms: satisfying, pleasant More Synonyms of sweet

8. adjective

If you describe someone as sweet, you mean that they are pleasant, kind, and gentle towards other people.

How sweet of you to think of me!

Synonyms: charming, kind, gentle, tender More Synonyms of sweet

sweetly adverb [usually ADVERB with verb]

I just smiled sweetly and said no.

9. adjective

If you describe a small person or thing as sweet, you mean that they are attractive in a simple or unsophisticated way.

[informal]

...a sweet little baby girl.

The house was really sweet.

Synonyms: delightful, appealing, cute, taking More Synonyms of sweet

10. vocative noun

You can address someone as sweet or my sweet if you are very fond of them.

[old-fashioned]

I am so proud of you, my sweet!

11. See also sweetly, sweetness

12.

See keep sb sweet

13. a sweet tooth

More Synonyms of sweet

Video: pronunciation of
sweet

sweet in British English

(swiːt )

adjective

having or denoting a pleasant taste like that of sugar

agreeable to the senses or the mind

sweet music

having pleasant manners; gentle

a sweet child

(of wine, etc) having a relatively high sugar content; not dry

(of foods) not decaying or rancid

sweet milk

not salty

sweet water

free from unpleasant odours

sweet air

containing no corrosive substances

sweet soil

(of petrol) containing no sulphur compounds

10.

sentimental or unrealistic

11.

individual; particular

the electorate went its own sweet way

12. jazz

performed with a regular beat, with the emphasis on clearly outlined melody and little improvisation

13. Australian slang

satisfactory or in order; all right

14. archaic

respected; dear (used in polite forms of address)

sweet sir

15.

smooth and precise; perfectly executed

a sweet shot

16. sweet on

17. keep someone sweet

adverb

18. informal

in a sweet manner

noun

19.

a sweet taste or smell; sweetness in general

20. (often plural) British

any of numerous kinds of confectionery consisting wholly or partly of sugar, esp of sugar boiled and crystallized (boiled sweets)

21. British

a pudding, fruit, or any sweet dish served as a dessert

22.

dear; sweetheart (used as a form of address)

23.

anything that is sweet

24. (often plural)

a pleasurable experience, state, etc

the sweets of success

25. US sweet potato

Derived forms

sweetish (ˈsweetish)

adjective

sweetly (ˈsweetly)

adverb

sweetness (ˈsweetness)

noun

Word origin

Old English swēte; related to Old Saxon swōti, Old High German suozi, Old Norse sœtr, Latin suādus persuasive, suāvis sweet, Greek hēdus, Sanskrit svādu; see persuade, suave

Word Frequency

Sweet in British English

(swiːt )

noun

Henry. 1845–1912, English philologist; a pioneer of modern phonetics. His books include A History of English Sounds (1874)

Word Frequency

Sweet in American English

(swit )

Henry1845-1912; Eng. linguist

Word Frequency

sweet in American English

(swit )

adjective

having a taste of, or like that of, sugar

containing sugar in some form

sweet wines

having a generally agreeable taste, smell, sound, appearance, etc.; pleasant

agreeable to the mind; gratifying

sweet praise

having a friendly, pleasing disposition; characterized by kindliness and gentleness

a sweet girl

dear

formerly a polite form of address

sweet sir

sentimental, saccharine, or cloying

f. Slang

good, delightful, etc.

a generalized epithet of approval

not rancid, spoiled, sour, or fermented

sweet milk, sweet cider

not salty or salted

said of water or butter

free from sourness or acidity

said of soil

4. Chemistry

free from unpleasant odors and gases

purified and free from acid, corrosive elements, etc.

5. Jazz

designating or of music or playing characterized by more or less strict adherence to melody, sentimentality or blandness in tone and rhythm, and a moderate tempo

noun

the quality of being sweet; sweetness

a. [pl.]

sweet foods

b. Chiefly British

a piece of candy, or a sweet dessert

something, as an experience, that gives delight or satisfaction

usually used in pl.

the sweets of victory

d. US

sweet potato

a sweet, or beloved, person; darling

adverb

in a sweet manner

Idioms:

be sweet on

Derived forms

sweetly (ˈsweetly)

adverb

sweetness (ˈsweetness)

noun

Word origin

ME swete < OE, akin to swot, sweetness, Ger süss, sweet < IE base *swad-, pleasing to taste > Gr hēdys, sweet, L suadere, to persuade & suavis, sweet

Word Frequency

sweet in American English

(swit) (adjective -er, -est)

adjective

having the taste or flavor characteristic of sugar, honey, etc

producing the one of the four basic taste sensations that is not bitter, sour, or salt

not rancid or stale; fresh

This milk is still sweet

not salt or salted

sweet butter

pleasing to the ear; making a delicate, pleasant, or agreeable sound; musical

pleasing or fresh to the smell; fragrant; perfumed

pleasing or agreeable; delightful

amiable; kind or gracious, as a person, action, etc

dear; beloved; precious

10.

easily managed; done or effected without effort

11. (of wine)

not dry; containing unfermented, natural sugar

12. (of a cocktail)

made with a greater proportion of vermouth than usual

13.

sentimental, cloying, or unrealistic

a sweet painting of little kittens

14. (of air)

fresh; free from odor, staleness, excess humidity, noxious gases, etc

15.

free from acidity or sourness, as soil

16. Chemistry

devoid of corrosive or acidic substances

b. (of fuel oil or gas)

containing no sulfur compounds

17. (of jazz or big band music)

performed with a regular beat, moderate tempo, lack of improvisation, and an emphasis on warm tone and clearly outlined melody

18. See sweet on

adverb

19.

in a sweet manner; sweetly

noun

20.

a sweet flavor, smell, or sound; sweetness

21.

something that is sweet or causes or gives a sweet flavor, smell, or sound

22. See sweets

23. See sweets

24. chiefly Brit

a piece of candy; sweetmeat or bonbon

a sweet dish or dessert, as a pudding or tart

25.

something pleasant to the mind or feelings

26.

a beloved person

27. (in direct address)

darling; sweetheart

Derived forms

sweetly

adverb

sweetness

noun

Word origin

[bef. 900; (adj. and adv.) ME swet(e), OE swēte (adj.); (n.) ME swet(e), deriv. of the adj.; c. OS swōti, OHG swuozi (G süss); akin to D zoet, ON sætr, Goth suts, Gk hēdýs sweet, L suādēre to recommend, suāvis pleasant]

Examples of 'sweet' in a sentence
sweet

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It leaves a sweet taste in the mouth.The ambulance worker knew her sweet tooth was bad for her health.She was really sweet and helped me so much.My pâté was a little too sweet.We know that sugar and sweets will rot our teeth and may make us fat.Want your nail polish to smell as sweet as it looks?Our sweet pea competition last weekend had blooms sent in by mail.As is the case with main courses there are great regional variations in sweets and desserts.You have to ask how long this sweet spot they are in at the moment will last.When you crave something sweet eat fresh fruit instead.