sweet
/swiːt/- 1.
Having a pleasant taste like sugar or honey. Sweet food is not bitter, sour, or salty. It can also mean pleasing or enjoyable.
- This tea is too sweet for me.
- She made a sweet cake for tea.
- The music had a sweet sound.
- 2.
Kind, nice, or gentle in a warm way. People often use it for someone who is caring or affectionate.
- That was a sweet thing to say.
- Your grandmother is very sweet.
- He sent her a sweet message.
A sweet food, especially a small dessert or candy. In British English, this is often used for dessert or confectionery.
- Would you like a sweet after dinner?
- The shop sells chocolates and sweets.
- We had fruit for sweet.
Adinary Nuance
Sweet is broader and more casual than sugary or candied when you talk about taste. For people, sweet sounds warmer and friendlier than kind in many everyday sentences. It can also sound a little affectionate, while nice is more general. When you want a softer, more personal feeling, English speakers often choose sweet.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- ngọt
- Spanish
- dulce
- Chinese
- 甜的
- Japanese
- 甘い
- Korean
- 달콤한
Etymology
Sweet comes from Old English swēte, from a Germanic root meaning pleasant to taste or feel. The sense of 'kind' developed later from the idea of something pleasant.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is sweet a positive word for people?
- Yes. It usually means kind, caring, or pleasant.
- What is the difference between sweet and sugary?
- Sweet is general. Sugary focuses more on too much sugar or a strong sweet taste.
- Is sweet common in spoken English?
- Yes. It is very common in everyday speech, especially for taste and personality.
- Can sweet mean dessert in British English?
- Yes. In British English, sweets can mean candies, and sweet can mean dessert in some contexts.