sweep
/swiːp/ IELTSAcademic
verb
- 1.
To move a brush, hand, or other object across a surface to remove dirt or dust. It can also mean to move something in a wide, smooth motion.
- She swept the floor before guests arrived.
- He swept his hand across the table.
- A strong wind swept through the street.
- 2.
To win very easily in a series, election, or contest. It also means to take control of many things at once.
- Their team swept the series 3–0.
- The party swept the election.
- The film swept the awards.
noun
A long, smooth, wide movement, or an area of land or view that curves or stretches widely.
- One sweep of the arm showed the direction.
- We admired the sweep of the valley.
- The road has a wide sweep.
Adinary Nuance
Sweep is stronger and broader than "brush". You sweep a floor, but you also sweep across a room, a landscape, or an election result. It often suggests one smooth movement or complete control, which "clean" or "brush" do not.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- quét
- Spanish
- barrer
- Chinese
- 扫
- Japanese
- 掃く
- Korean
- 쓸다
Etymology
Sweep comes from Old English swāpan, meaning 'to sweep, stroke, or move quickly'. It has been in English since before the 12th century.
Common phrases
sweep the floorsweep acrosssweep the nationsweep the awards
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is sweep the same as brush?
- Not exactly. You brush something with smaller, lighter movements. You sweep something with a broader motion, often to clean it.
- Can sweep mean win?
- Yes. It means win very easily, often many games, prizes, or seats in an election.
- Is sweep formal or informal?
- It is common in both speech and writing. The meaning depends on the context.
- What does sweep across mean?
- It means to move across a place in a wide motion. It can also describe events spreading quickly.