Word Study
sweet
CIDE DICTIONARY
sweet, a. [OE. swete, swote, sote, AS. swēte; akin to OFries. swēte, OS. swōti, D. zoet, G. sÜss, OHG. suozi, Icel. sætr, sœtr, Sw. söt, Dan. söd, Goth. suts, L. suavis, for suadvis, Gr. , Skr. svādu sweet, svad, svād, to sweeten. √175. Cf. Assuage, Suave, Suasion.].
- Having an agreeable taste or flavor such as that of sugar; saccharine; -- opposed to sour and bitter; as, a sweet beverage; sweet fruits; sweet oranges. [1913 Webster]
- Pleasing to the smell; fragrant; redolent; balmy; as, a sweet rose; sweet odor; sweet incense. [1913 Webster]"The breath of these flowers is sweet to me." [1913 Webster]
- Pleasing to the ear; soft; melodious; harmonious; as, the sweet notes of a flute or an organ; sweet music; a sweet voice; a sweet singer. [1913 Webster]"To make his English sweet upon his tongue." [1913 Webster]"A voice sweet, tremulous, but powerful." [1913 Webster]
- Pleasing to the eye; beautiful; mild and attractive; fair; as, a sweet face; a sweet color or complexion. [1913 Webster]"Sweet interchange
Of hill and valley, rivers, woods, and plains." [1913 Webster] - Fresh; not salt or brackish; as, sweet water. Bacon. [1913 Webster]
- Not changed from a sound or wholesome state. Specifically:
(a) Not sour; as, sweet milk or bread.(b) Not state; not putrescent or putrid; not rancid; as, sweet butter; sweet meat or fish. [1913 Webster] - Plaesing to the mind; mild; gentle; calm; amiable; winning; presuasive; as, sweet manners. [1913 Webster]" Sweet is often used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, sweet-blossomed, sweet-featured, sweet-smelling, sweet-tempered, sweet-toned, etc." [1913 Webster]"Canst thou bind the sweet influence of Pleiades?" [1913 Webster]"Mildness and sweet reasonableness is the one established rule of Christian working." [1913 Webster]
Syn. -- Sugary; saccharine; dulcet; luscious.
sweet, n.
- That which is sweet to the taste; -- used chiefly in the plural. [1913 Webster]
- That which is sweet or pleasant in odor; a perfume. Milton. [1913 Webster]
- That which is pleasing or grateful to the mind; as, the sweets of domestic life. [1913 Webster]"A little bitter mingled in our cup leaves no relish of the sweet." [1913 Webster]
- One who is dear to another; a darling; -- a term of endearment. B. Jonson. [1913 Webster]
sweet, adv.
Sweetly. Shak. [1913 Webster]
sweet, v. t.
To sweeten. Udall. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
sweet, adj. & n.
--adj.
1 having the pleasant taste characteristic of sugar.
2 smelling pleasant like roses or perfume etc.; fragrant.
3 (of sound etc.) melodious or harmonious.
4 a not salt, sour, or bitter. b fresh, with flavour unimpaired by rottenness. c (of water) fresh and readily drinkable.
5 (of wine) having a sweet taste (opp. DRY).
6 highly gratifying or attractive.
7 amiable, pleasant (has a sweet nature).
8 colloq. (of a person or thing) pretty, charming, endearing.
9 (foll. by on) colloq. fond of; in love with.
--n.
1 Brit. a small shaped piece of confectionery usu. made with sugar or sweet chocolate.
2 Brit. a sweet dish forming a course of a meal.
3 a sweet part of something; sweetness.
4 (in pl.) delights, gratification.
5 (esp. as a form of address) sweetheart etc.
--adj.
1 having the pleasant taste characteristic of sugar.
2 smelling pleasant like roses or perfume etc.; fragrant.
3 (of sound etc.) melodious or harmonious.
4 a not salt, sour, or bitter. b fresh, with flavour unimpaired by rottenness. c (of water) fresh and readily drinkable.
5 (of wine) having a sweet taste (opp. DRY).
6 highly gratifying or attractive.
7 amiable, pleasant (has a sweet nature).
8 colloq. (of a person or thing) pretty, charming, endearing.
9 (foll. by on) colloq. fond of; in love with.
--n.
1 Brit. a small shaped piece of confectionery usu. made with sugar or sweet chocolate.
2 Brit. a sweet dish forming a course of a meal.
3 a sweet part of something; sweetness.
4 (in pl.) delights, gratification.
5 (esp. as a form of address) sweetheart etc.
Idiom
she's sweet Austral. sl. all is well. sweet-and-sour cooked in a sauce containing sugar and vinegar or lemon etc. sweet basil see BASIL. sweet bay = BAY(2). sweet-brier see BRIER(1). sweet chestnut see CHESTNUT. sweet cicely a white-flowered aromatic plant, Myrrhis odorata. sweet corn
1 a kind of maize with kernels having a high sugar content.
2 these kernels, eaten as a vegetable when young. sweet flag = sweet rush. sweet-gale see GALE(2). sweet pea any climbing plant of the genus Lathyrus, esp. L. odoratus with fragrant flowers in many colours. sweet pepper see PEPPER.
sweet potato
1 a tropical climbing plant, Ipomoea batatas, with sweet tuberous roots used for food.
2 the root of this. sweet rocket see ROCKET(2). sweet rush (or sedge) a kind of sedge with a thick creeping aromatic rootstock used in medicine and confectionery. sweet sultan a sweet-scented plant, Centaurea moschata or C. suaveoleus. sweet talk colloq. flattery, blandishment. sweet-talk v.tr. colloq. flatter in order to persuade. sweet-tempered amiable. sweet tooth a liking for sweet-tasting things. sweet violet a sweet-scented violet, Viola odorata. sweet william a plant, Dianthus barbatus, with clusters of vivid fragrant flowers.
1 a kind of maize with kernels having a high sugar content.
2 these kernels, eaten as a vegetable when young. sweet flag = sweet rush. sweet-gale see GALE(2). sweet pea any climbing plant of the genus Lathyrus, esp. L. odoratus with fragrant flowers in many colours. sweet pepper see PEPPER.
sweet potato
1 a tropical climbing plant, Ipomoea batatas, with sweet tuberous roots used for food.
2 the root of this. sweet rocket see ROCKET(2). sweet rush (or sedge) a kind of sedge with a thick creeping aromatic rootstock used in medicine and confectionery. sweet sultan a sweet-scented plant, Centaurea moschata or C. suaveoleus. sweet talk colloq. flattery, blandishment. sweet-talk v.tr. colloq. flatter in order to persuade. sweet-tempered amiable. sweet tooth a liking for sweet-tasting things. sweet violet a sweet-scented violet, Viola odorata. sweet william a plant, Dianthus barbatus, with clusters of vivid fragrant flowers.
Derivative
sweetish adj. sweetly adv.
Etymology
OE swete f. Gmc
THESAURUS
sweet
Jell-O, accommodating, achingly sweet, admirable, adorable, affable, aftertaste, agreeable, agreeable-sounding, ambrosial, amiable, amicable, angel, angelic, appealing, ariose, arioso, aromatic, attentive, attractive, babe, baby, baby-doll, balanced, balmy, beautiful, bell-like, beloved, bitter, bittersweet, blancmange, bleached, blissful, bonhomous, bright, buttercup, candied, candy, canorous, cantabile, caressable, catchy, charming, cheerful, cherub, chick, chickabiddy, chocolate, clean, cleanly, cloying, cloyingness, comfit, compassionate, compatible, complaisant, compote, concinnate, concinnous, confection, confectionery, confiture, congenial, conserve, considerate, cordial, creamy, cuddlesome, cute, dainty, darling, dear, deary, delectable, delicate, delicious, delightful, desirable, dessert, devoted to, dirt-free, doll, duck, duckling, dulcet, dulcitude, easy, easy-natured, easygoing, eggshell, en rapport, enamored of, engaging, enjoyable, essenced, euphonic, euphonical, euphonious, euphonous, fair, fair and pleasant, fastidious, felicific, felicitous, fine, fine-toned, flat, flavor, flowery, flowing, fluent, fond of, fragrant, fresh, friendly, frosting, fruity, gelatin, generous, genial, gentle, glaze, gloss, golden, golden-tongued, golden-voiced, gone on, good, good-humored, good-natured, good-tempered, goodly, gracious, grateful, gratifying, great, gushing, gushy, gust, harmonious, heart-warming, heavenly, hon, honey, honey bunch, honey child, honeyed, honeysweet, icing, icky, immaculate, incense-breathing, infatuated with, iridescent, jam, jelly, keen on, kind, kissable, kosher, lamb, lambkin, light, likable, lovable, love, lovely, lover, lovesome, luscious, lyric, marmalade, maudlin, mawkishness, measured, melic, melliferous, mellifluent, mellifluous, mellisonant, mellow, melodic, melodious, meringue, mild, mother-of-pearl, mousse, music-flowing, music-like, musical, musky, nacreous, nectareous, nectarous, nice, nonpolluted, nuts about, odorate, odoriferous, odorous, of cleanly habits, opalescent, ordered, orderly, oversweetness, palate, pale, pastel, patinaed, pearly, perfumed, perfumy, pet, petkins, pleasant, pleasant-sounding, pleasing, pleasurable, pleasure-giving, pleasureful, precious, precious heart, preserve, pretty, prized, pudding, pure, quiet, redolent, relish, rewarding, rich, ritually pure, sacchariferous, saccharine, saccharinity, sad, salt, sapidity, sapor, satisfying, savor, savoriness, savory, scented, semigloss, sentimental, seraphic, shiny, sickening, sickly-sweetness, silver-toned, silver-tongued, silver-voiced, silvery, simple, singable, sloppy, smack, smooth, smooth-sounding, smut-free, smutless, snookums, sober, soft, soft-colored, soft-hued, softened, solicitous, somber, songful, songlike, sonorous, soppy, sour, sour-sweet, spicy, splendid, spotless, stainless, sticky, stomach, stuck on, subdued, subtle, sugar, sugarcoated, sugared, sugariness, sugarsweet, sugary, sweet and pungent, sweet and sour, sweet as sugar, sweet on, sweet stuff, sweet-flowing, sweet-scented, sweet-smelling, sweet-sounding, sweet-tempered, sweetened, sweetheart, sweetie, sweetish, sweetishness, sweetkins, sweetmeat, sweetness, sweets, symmetrical, sympathetic, syrupiness, syrupy, tahar, taken with, tang, taste, tender, thoughtful, thuriferous, tongue, tooth, treasured, tripping, tubbed, tunable, tuneful, turtledove, tutti-frutti, unadulterated, unassuming, unbesmirched, unblemished, unblotted, undefiled, unmuddied, unpolluted, unsmirched, unsmudged, unsoiled, unspotted, unstained, unsullied, untainted, untarnished, warm, welcome, well-natured, well-scrubbed, well-washed, whipped cream, white, whitened, winning, winsome, wonderfulROGET THESAURUS
sweet
Cleanness
N cleanness, cleanliness, purity, cleaning, purification, defecation, purgation, lustration, detersion, abstersion, epuration, mundation, ablution, lavation, colature, disinfection, drainage, sewerage, lavatory, laundry, washhouse, washerwoman, laundress, dhobi, laundryman, washerman, scavenger, dustman, sweep, white wings brush, broom, besom, mop, rake, shovel, sieve, riddle, screen, filter, blotter, napkin, cloth, maukin, malkin, handkerchief, towel, sudary, doyley, doily, duster, sponge, mop, swab, cover, drugget, wash, lotion, detergent, cathartic, purgative, purifier, disinfectant, aperient, benzene, benzine benzol, benolin, bleaching powder, chloride of lime, dentifrice, deobstruent, laxative, clean, cleanly, pure, immaculate, spotless, stainless, taintless, trig, without a stain, unstained, unspotted, unsoiled, unsullied, untainted, uninfected, sweet, sweet as a nut, neat, spruce, tidy, trim, gimp, clean as a new penny, like a cat in pattens, cleaned, kempt, abstergent, cathartic, cleansing, purifying, neatly, clean as a whistle.Pleasurableness
N pleasurableness, pleasantness, agreeableness, pleasure giving, jucundity, delectability, amusement, attraction, attractiveness, attractability, invitingness, harm, fascination, enchantment, witchery, seduction, winning ways, amenity, amiability, winsomeness, loveliness, sunny side, bright side, sweets, goodness, manna in the wilderness, land flowing with milk and honey, bittersweet, fair weather, treat, regale, dainty, titbit, tidbit, nuts, sauce piquante, causing pleasure, laetificant, pleasure-giving, pleasing, pleasant, pleasurable, agreeable, grateful, gratifying, leef, lief, acceptable, welcome, welcome as the roses in May, welcomed, favorite, to one's taste, to one's mind, to one's liking, satisfactory, refreshing, comfortable, cordial, genial, glad, gladsome, sweet, delectable, nice, dainty, delicate, delicious, dulcet, luscious, palatable, luxurious, voluptuous, sensual, attractive, inviting, prepossessing, engaging, winning, winsome, taking, fascinating, captivating, killing, seducing, seductive, heart-robbing, alluring, enticing, appetizing, cheering, bewitching, enchanting, entrancing, enravishing, charming, delightful, felicitous, exquisite, lovely, ravishing, rapturous, heartfelt, thrilling, ecstatic, beatic, beatific, seraphic, empyrean, elysian, palmy, halcyon, Saturnian, decies repetita placebit, charms strike the sight but merit wins the soul, sweetness and light, beauty is only skin deep.Love
N love, fondness, liking, inclination, regard, dilection, admiration, fancy, affection, sympathy, fellow-feeling, tenderness, heart, brotherly love, benevolence, attachment, yearning, eros, tender passion, amour, gyneolatry, gallantry, passion, flame, devotion, fervor, enthusiasm, transport of love, rapture, enchantment, infatuation, adoration, idolatry, Cupid, Venus, myrtle, true lover's knot, love token, love suit, love affair, love tale, love story, the, old story, plighted love, courtship, amourette, free love, maternal love, storge, parental love, young love, puppy love, attractiveness, popularity, favorite, lover, suitor, follower, admirer, adorer, wooer, amoret, beau, sweetheart, inamorato, swain, young man, flame, love, truelove, leman, Lothario, gallant, paramour, amoroso, cavaliere servente, captive, cicisbeo, caro sposo, inamorata, ladylove, idol, darling, duck, Dulcinea, angel, goddess, cara sposa, betrothed, affianced, fiancee, flirt, coquette, amorette, pair of turtledoves, abode of love, agapemone, loving, fond of, taken with, struck with, smitten, bitten, attached to, wedded to, enamored, charmed, in love, love-sick, over head and ears in love, head over heels in love, affectionate, tender, sweet upon, sympathetic, loving, amorous, amatory, fond, erotic, uxorious, ardent, passionate, rapturous, devoted, motherly, loved, beloved well beloved, dearly beloved, dear, precious, darling, pet, little, favorite, popular, congenial, after one's mind, after one's taste, after one's fancy, after one's own heart, to one's mind, to one's taste, to one's fancy, to one's own heart, in one's good graces, dear as the apple of one's eye, nearest to one's heart, lovable, adorable, lovely, sweet, attractive, seductive, winning, charming, engaging, interesting, enchanting, captivating, fascinating, bewitching, amiable, like an angel, amantes amentes, credula res amor est, militat omnis amasius, love conquers all, omnia vincit amor, si vis amari ama, the sweetest joy, the wildest woe.Sweetness
N sweetness, dulcitude, sugar, syrup, treacle, molasses, honey, manna, confection, confectionary, sweets, grocery, conserve, preserve, confiture, jam, julep, sugar-candy, sugar-plum, licorice, marmalade, plum, lollipop, bonbon, jujube, comfit, sweetmeat, apple butter, caramel, damson, glucose, maple sirup, maple syrup, maple sugar, mithai, sorghum, taffy, nectar, hydromel, mead, meade, metheglin, honeysuckle, liqueur, sweet wine, aperitif, sugar cane, sugar beets, desert, pastry, pie, cake, candy, ice cream, tart, puff, pudding (food), dulcification, dulcoration, sweetener, corn syrup, cane sugar, refined sugar, beet sugar, dextrose, artificial sweetener, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, Sweet'N Low, sweet, saccharine, sacchariferous, dulcet, candied, honied, luscious, lush, nectarious, melliferous, sweetened, sweet as a nut, sweet as sugar, sweet as honey, sickly sweet, eau sucr_ee, sweets to the sweet.Concord
N concord, accord, harmony, symphony, homologue, agreement, sympathy, empathy, response, union, unison, unity, bonds of harmony, peace, unanimity, league, happy family, rapprochement, reunion, amity, alliance, entente cordiale, good understanding, conciliation, peacemaker, intercessor, mediator, concordant, congenial, agreeing, in accord, harmonious, united, cemented, banded together, allied, friendly, fraternal, conciliatory, at one with, of one mind, at peace, in still water, tranquil, with one voice, in concert with, hand in hand, on one's side, commune periculum concordiam parit, melody concord, melody, rhythm, measure, rhyme, pitch, timbre, intonation, tone, scale, gamut, diapason, diatonic chromatic scale, enharmonic scale, key, clef, chords, modulation, temperament, syncope, syncopation, preparation, suspension, resolution, staff, stave, line, space, brace, bar, rest, appoggiato, appoggiatura, acciaccatura, note, musical note, notes of a scale, sharp, flat, natural, high note, low note, interval, semitone, second, third, fourth, diatessaron, breve, semibreve, minim, crotchet, quaver, semiquaver, demisemiquaver, hemidemisemiquaver, sustained note, drone, burden, tonic, key note, leading note, fundamental note, supertonic, mediant, dominant, submediant, subdominant, octave, tetrachord, major key, minor key, major scale, minor scale, major mode, minor mode, passage, phrase, concord, harmony, emmeleia, unison, unisonance, chime, homophony, euphony, euphonism, tonality, consonance, consent, part, harmony, harmonics, thorough-bass, fundamental-bass, counterpoint, faburden, piece of music, composer, harmonist, contrapuntist (musician), harmonious, harmonical, in concord, in tune, in concert, unisonant, concentual, symphonizing, isotonic, homophonous, assonant, ariose, consonant, measured, rhythmical, diatonic, chromatic, enharmonic, melodious, musical, melic, tuneful, tunable, sweet, dulcet, canorous, mellow, mellifluous, soft, clear, clear as a bell, silvery, euphonious, euphonic, euphonical, symphonious, enchanting fine-toned, full-toned, silver-toned, harmoniously, in harmony, as one, the hidden soul of harmony.Color
N color, hue, tint, tinge, dye, complexion, shade, tincture, cast, livery, coloration, glow, flush, tone, key, pure color, positive color, primary color, primitive complementary color, three primaries, spectrum, chromatic dispersion, broken color, secondary color, tertiary color, local color, coloring, keeping, tone, value, aerial perspective, chromatics, spectrum analysis, spectroscopy, chromatism, chromatography, chromatology, prism, spectroscope, spectrograph, spectrometer, colorimeter (optical instruments), pigment, coloring matter, paint, dye, wash, distemper, stain, medium, mordant, oil paint, colored, colorific, tingent, tinctorial, chromatic, prismatic, full-colored, high-colored, deep-colored, doubly-dyed, polychromatic, chromatogenous, tingible, bright, vivid, intense, deep, fresh, unfaded, rich, gorgeous, gay, gaudy, florid, gay, garish, rainbow-colored, multihued, showy, flaunting, flashy, raw, crude, glaring, flaring, discordant, inharmonious, mellow, pastel, harmonious, pearly, sweet, delicate, tender, refined.For further exploring for "sweet" in Webster Dictionary Online