n.
Pronunciation: ' sw ē t
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English swete, from Old English sw ē te; akin to Old High German suozi sweet, Latin suad ē re to urge, suavis sweet, Greek h ē dys
Date: before 12th century
1 a (1) : pleasing to the taste (2) : being or inducing the one of the four basic taste sensations that is typically induced by disaccharides and is mediated especially by receptors in taste buds at the front of the tongue ― compare BITTER , SALT , SOUR b (1) of a beverage : containing a sweetening ingredient : not dry (2) of wine : retaining a portion of natural sugar
2 a : pleasing to the mind or feelings : AGREEABLE , GRATIFYING ― often used as a generalized term of approval <how sweet it is> b : marked by gentle good humor or kindliness <a sweet disposition> c : FRAGRANT <a sweet aroma> d (1) : delicately pleasing to the ear or eye <a sweet melody> (2) : played in a straightforward melodic style < sweet jazz> e : SACCHARINE , CLOYING f : very good or appealing <a sweet job offer> <a sweet sports car>
3 : much loved : DEAR
4 a : not sour, rancid, decaying, or stale : WHOLESOME < sweet milk> b : not salt or salted : FRESH < sweet water> < sweet butter> c : free from excessive acidity ― used especially of soil d : free from noxious gases and odors e : free from excess of acid, sulfur, or corrosive salts < sweet crude oil>
5 : SKILLFUL , PROFICIENT <a sweet golf swing>
6 ― used as an intensive <take your own sweet time>
– sweet · ly adverb
– sweet · ness noun
– sweet on : having a crush on