What is sweet? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of sweet

sweetadjective

ngọt, có vị ngọt, sự ngọt bùi, đồ ngọt

/swiːt/

Definition & pronunciation of <b>sweet</b>

Where does the word sweet come from?

The word "sweet" has a rich history dating back to ancient times. The Old English word "swete" evolved from the Proto-Germanic "swatiz", which was derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "swe demos", meaning "to flavor" or "to savor". This root is also seen in modern English words like "savor" and "sweetness". In Old English, "swete" referred to anything pleasant or lovely, not just food or drink. Over time, the meaning shifted to specifically describe things that were pleasant to taste or smell. In Middle English (circa 1100-1500), "sweet" began to be used to describe music, poetry, and other forms of art, as well as emotions like kindness or affection. Today, "sweet" is used to describe a wide range of things, from food and drink to emotions and experiences, and its original meaning has expanded to encompass a sense of delightful pleasure or satisfaction.

Vocabulary summary sweet

typeadjective

meaningsweet

examplethe sweet and the bitter of life

examplesweet stuff: sweet, candy level

exampleto have a sweet tooth

meaningsweet (water)

examplesweet water

meaningfragrant

exampleflowers diffusing their sweets on the air

typenoun

meaningsweetness; sweetness

examplethe sweet and the bitter of life

examplesweet stuff: sweet, candy level

exampleto have a sweet tooth

meaningsweets, jams, candies, desserts

examplesweet water

meaning(usually plural) fragrance

exampleflowers diffusing their sweets on the air

Example of vocabulary sweetfood/drink

meaning

containing, or tasting as if it contains, a lot of sugar

  • a cup of hot sweet tea
  • sweet food
  • I had a craving for something sweet.
  • roast duck with a sweet and sour sauce
  • sweet sherry

Example of vocabulary sweetsmell

meaning

having a pleasant smell

  • a sweet-smelling rose
  • The air was sweet with incense.

Example of vocabulary sweetsound

meaning

having a pleasant sound

  • a sweet voice

Example of vocabulary sweetpure

meaning

pleasant and not containing any harmful substances

  • the sweet air of a mountain village

Example of vocabulary sweetsatisfying

meaning

making you feel happy and/or satisfied

  • Goodnight. Sweet dreams.
  • I can't tell you how sweet this victory is.
  • He played a sweet shot onto the final green (= in golf).
  • an act of sweet revenge

Example of vocabulary sweetattractive

meaning

attractive

  • His sister's a sweet young thing.
  • You look sweet in this photograph.
  • We stayed in a sweet little hotel on the seafront.

Example of vocabulary sweetkind

meaning

having or showing a kind character

  • She gave him her sweetest smile.
  • He's one of the sweetest people I know.
  • It was sweet of them to offer to help.
  • He’s not what you’d call sweet-tempered!

Example of vocabulary sweetgood

meaning

used to show that you approve of something

  • Free tickets? Sweet!

Synonyms and related words for sweet

Idioms of vocabulary sweet

be sweet on somebody
(old-fashioned, informal)to like somebody very much in a romantic way
    have a sweet tooth
    (informal)to like food that contains a lot of sugar
      home sweet home
      (often ironic)used to say how pleasant your home is (especially when you really mean that it is not pleasant at all)
        in your own sweet time/way
        how and when you want to, even though this might annoy other people
        • He always does the work, but in his own sweet time.
        • She just ignores all the criticism and continues in her own sweet way.
        keep somebody sweet
        (informal)to say or do pleasant things in order to keep somebody in a good mood so that they will agree to do something for you
        • You’d better keep her sweet if you want her to lend you the money.
        a rose by any other name would smell as sweet
        (saying)what is important is what people or things are, not what they are called
          she’s sweet
          (Australian English, New Zealand English, informal)everything is all right
            short and sweet
            (informal)pleasant but not lasting a long time
            • We haven't much time so I'll keep it short and sweet.
            sweet FA | sweet Fanny Adams
            (British English, informal)nothing at all. People say ‘sweet FA’ to avoid saying ‘fuck all’.
              sweet nothings
              romantic words
              • to whisper sweet nothings in somebody’s ear
              the sweet smell of success
              (informal)the pleasant feeling of being successful

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