sweet

UK: /ˈswiːt/ US: /swit/ ,(swēt)

Inflections of 'sweet' (adj):

sweeter

adj comparative

sweetest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

sweet /swit/   adj., -er, -est, adv., n. 
adj. 

1. having the taste or flavor of sugar or the like:
   The coffee is too sweet.
2. not rancid or stale;
   fresh:
   sweet milk.
3. not salty or salted:
   sweet butter.
4. pleasing to the senses:
   sweet music; her sweet, soft voice.
5. pleasing or agreeable;
   delightful as a person or action:
   Our neighbors were so sweet, looking after our apartment while we were away.

adv. 

6. in a sweet manner;
   sweetly.

n. [countable]

7. Informal Terms sweets, [plural] very sweet foods, as pie, cake, or candy.
8. British Terms
   • a piece of candy.
   • a sweet dish or dessert.
9. a beloved person.

Idioms

10. Idioms sweet on, [be + ~ + on] [Informal.] infatuated with;
    in love with:
    She was sweet on the new boy in school.

sweet•ish, adj. 
sweet•ly, adv.: 

She smiled sweetly at him.

sweet•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

sweet  (swēt), adj., -er, -est, adv., n. 
adj. 

1. having the taste or flavor characteristic of sugar, honey, etc.
2. Physiology producing the one of the four basic taste sensations that is not bitter, sour, or salt.
3. not rancid or stale;
   fresh:
   This milk is still sweet.
4. not salt or salted:
   sweet butter.
5. pleasing to the ear;
   making a delicate, pleasant, or agreeable sound;
   musical.
6. pleasing or fresh to the smell;
   fragrant;
   perfumed.
7. pleasing or agreeable;
   delightful.
8. amiable;
   kind or gracious, as a person, action, etc.
9. dear;
   beloved;
   precious.
10. easily managed;
    done or effected without effort.
11. Wine (of wine) not dry;
    containing unfermented, natural sugar.
12. Wine (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.
    • (of fuel oil or gas) containing no sulfur compounds.
17. Music and Dance (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. Informal Terms sweet on, infatuated with;
    in love with:
    He's sweet on her.

adv. 
19. in a sweet manner;
    sweetly.

n. 
20. a sweet flavor, smell, or sound;
    sweetness.
21. something that is sweet or causes or gives a sweet flavor, smell, or sound.
22. Informal Terms sweets:
    • candied sweet potatoes.
    • (in direct address) sweetheart.
23. sweets, pie, cake, candy, and other foods high in sugar content.
24. British Terms [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.
• bef. 900; (adjective, adjectival and adverb, adverbial) Middle English swet(e), Old English swēte (adjective, adjectival); (noun, nominal) Middle English swet(e), derivative of the adjective, adjectival; cognate with Old Saxon swōti, Old High German swuozi (German süss); akin to Dutch zoet, Old Norse sætr, Gothic suts, Greek hēdýs sweet, Latin suādēre to recommend, suāvis pleasant
sweet′ly, adv. 
sweet′ness, n. 
Synonyms
• 1. sugary.
• 5. melodious, mellifluous.
• 6. redolent, aromatic, scented.
• 8. winning, lovable, charming.

Sweet  (swēt), n. 

1. Biographical Henry, 1845–1912, English philologist and linguist.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

sweet / swiːt/ adjective

1. having or denoting a pleasant taste like that of sugar
2. agreeable to the senses or the mind: sweet music
3. having pleasant manners; gentle: a sweet child
4. (of wine, etc) having a relatively high sugar content; not dry
5. (of foods) not decaying or rancid: sweet milk
6. not salty: sweet water
7. free from unpleasant odours: sweet air
8. containing no corrosive substances: sweet soil
9. (of petrol) containing no sulphur compounds
10. sentimental or unrealistic
11. performed with a regular beat, with the emphasis on clearly outlined melody and little improvisation
12. respected; dear (used in polite forms of address): sweet sir
13. smooth and precise; perfectly executed: a sweet shot
14. keep someone sweet ⇒ to ingratiate oneself in order to ensure cooperation

adverb

1. in a sweet manner

noun

1. a sweet taste or smell; sweetness in general
2. (often plural) any of numerous kinds of confectionery consisting wholly or partly of sugar, esp of sugar boiled and crystallized (boiled sweets)
3. a pudding, fruit, or any sweet dish served as a dessert
4. dear; sweetheart (used as a form of address)
5. anything that is sweet
6. (often plural) a pleasurable experience, state, etc: the sweets of success
7. 
   See sweet potato

Etymology: 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

ˈsweetish adjective

ˈsweetly adverb

ˈsweetness noun

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Sweet / swiːt/ noun

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