Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense sweats, present participle sweating, past tense, past participle sweated
1. uncountable noun
Sweat is the salty colourless liquid which comes through your skin when you are hot, ill, or afraid.
Both horse and rider were dripping with sweat within five minutes.
He wiped the sweat off his face and looked around.
Her sweat-stained clothing clung to her body.
Synonyms: perspiration, moisture, dampness, exudation More Synonyms of sweat
2. verb
When you sweat, sweat comes through your skin.
Already they were sweating as the sun beat down upon them. [VERB]
Synonyms: perspire, swelter, sweat like a pig [informal], sweat buckets [informal] More Synonyms of sweat
sweatinguncountable noun
...symptoms such as sweating, irritability, anxiety and depression.
3. countable noun
If someone is in a sweat, they are sweating a lot.
Every morning I would break out in a sweat.
Cool down very gradually after working up a sweat.
I really don't feel a bit sick, no night sweats, no fevers.
4. plural noun
Sweats are the same as a sweatsuit or , sweatpants.
[US, informal]
5.
See in a cold sweat/in a sweat
6.
See sweat it out
7.
See no sweat
8. blood, sweat, and tears
9. to sweat blood
More Synonyms of sweat
sweat in British English
(swɛt)
noun
1.
the secretion from the sweat glands, esp when profuse and visible, as during strenuous activity, from excessive heat, etc; commonly also called perspiration
▶ Related adjectives: sudatory, sudorific
2.
the act or process of secreting this fluid
3.
the act of inducing the exudation of moisture
4.
drops of moisture given forth or gathered on the surface of something
5. informal
a state or condition of worry or eagerness (esp in the phrase in a sweat)
6. slang
drudgery or hard labour
mowing lawns is a real sweat!
7. mainly US
an exercise gallop given to a horse, esp on the day of a race
8. slang, mainly British
a soldier, esp one who is old and experienced
9. no sweat!
verbWord forms: sweats, sweating, sweat or sweated
10.
to secrete (sweat) through the pores of the skin, esp profusely
11. (transitive)
to make wet or stain with sweat
12.
to give forth or cause to give forth (moisture) in droplets
a sweating cheese
the maple sweats sap
13. (intransitive)
to collect and condense moisture on an outer surface
a glass of beer sweating in the sun
14. (intransitive)
(of a liquid) to pass through a porous surface in droplets
15.
(of tobacco leaves, cut and dried hay, etc) to exude moisture and, sometimes, begin to ferment or to cause (tobacco leaves, etc) to exude moisture
16. (transitive)
to heat (food, esp vegetables) slowly in butter in a tightly closed saucepan
17. (transitive)
to join (pieces of metal) by pressing together and heating
18. (transitive)
to heat (solder) until it melts
19. (transitive)
to heat (a partially fused metal) to extract an easily fusible constituent
20.
to shake together (coins, esp gold coins) so as to remove particles for illegal use
21. informal
to suffer anxiety, impatience, or distress
22. informal
to overwork or be overworked
23. (transitive) informal
to employ at very low wages and under bad conditions
24. (transitive) informal
to extort, esp by torture
to sweat information out of a captive
25. (intransitive) informal
to suffer punishment
you'll sweat for this!
26. sweat blood
See also hidrosis
Derived forms
sweatless (ˈsweatless)
adjective
Word origin
Old English swætan to sweat, from swāt sweat; related to Old Saxon swēt, Old Norse sveiti, Old High German sweiz, Latin sūdor, Sanskrit svedas
sweat in American English
(swɛt)
verb intransitiveWord forms: sweat or ˈsweated, ˈsweating
1.
to give forth a characteristic salty moisture through the pores of the skin; perspire
2.
a.
to give forth moisture in droplets on its surface, as a ripening cheese does
b.
to collect and condense water in droplets on its surface, as a glass of ice water does in a warm room
3.
to ferment
said of tobacco leaves, etc.
4.
to come forth in drops through pores or a porous surface; ooze
5.
to work hard enough to cause sweating
6. Informal
to suffer distress, anxiety, etc.
verb transitive
7.
a.
to give forth (moisture) through pores or a porous surface
b.
to collect and condense (moisture) on the surface
8.
to cause to sweat, or perspire, as by drugs, exercise, heat, etc.
9.
to cause to give forth moisture; esp., to ferment
to sweat tobacco leaves
10.
to make wet with sweat, or perspiration
11.
to heat (a metal) in order to extract an easily fusible constituent
12.
a.
to heat (solder) until it melts
b.
to unite (metal parts) by heating at the point of contact
13.
to remove particles of metal from (a coin) illegally, as by abrading
14.
a.
to cause to work so hard as to sweat; overwork
b.
to cause (employees) to work long hours at low wages under poor working conditions; exploit (workers)
15. US, Informal
a.
to get information from by torture or by long, grueling questioning; subject to the third degree
b.
to get (information) in this way
16. Slang
to try hard or too hard to get or achieve
noun
17.
the clear, alkaline, salty liquid given forth in drops through the pores of the skin; perspiration
18.
moisture given forth or collected in droplets on the surface of something
19.
a.
the act or condition of sweating or being sweated
b.
an artificially induced sweating
20.
a condition of eagerness, anxiety, impatience, etc.
21.
hard work; drudgery
22.
exercise, as a run, given a horse before a race
23. [pl.]
clothes worn for exercising, warming up, etc.; specif., a sweat suit
Idioms:
no sweat
sweat blood
sweat it
sweat off
sweat out
Word origin
ME sweten < OE swætan < swat, sweat, akin to Ger schweissen < IE base *sweid-, to sweat > Gr hidros, L sudor, sweat
More idioms containing
sweat
sweat blood
sweat like a pig
do something by the sweat of your brow
in a cold sweat
Examples of 'sweat' in a sentence
sweat
It makes me sweat and feel sick.
The Sun (2008)
Norwich now face a summer sweat to bring in a new manager.
The Sun (2012)
My other toes were glued together with sweat and blood.
Hyland, Paul Indian Balm - Travels in the Southern Subcontinent (1994)
My heart begins to race quickly and cold sweat pools in the centre of my palms.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He was sweating really badly so we just thought it was flu.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Hair also needs protection from the sun and sweat.
The Sun (2014)
It can also cure sweating under the arms.
The Sun (2009)
You should try to have more salt if you sweat a lot.
The Sun (2011)
Stewards accepted the weight loss was caused by him sweating in the hot weather.
The Sun (2012)
Side effects include increased body temperature and sweating.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Within minutes we are stifling in a sauna of body heat and human sweat.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You may find yourself in a bit of a sweat.
The Sun (2006)
But there is a powerful platform of effort and pride and sweat about them.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
You could feel the cocaine crystals oozing from his sweat glands.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The disappointment on his sweating face still haunts me.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
When he came out he was sweating profusely and shaking.
John Cornwell Seminary Boy (2006)
But persistent night sweats are a different matter.
The Sun (2012)
You might notice flushes and sweats, too.
The Sun (2011)
Only blood, sweat and tears will get us through.
The Sun (2010)
THREE per cent of the population suffer from excess sweating.
The Sun (2009)
You will get a drop of the horses' sweat on your face and hear the sand and feel like you are under the horses.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
sweat
British English: sweat /swɛt/ NOUN
Sweat is the salty colourless liquid which comes through your skin when you are hot, ill, or afraid.
He wiped the sweat off his face.
American English: sweat
Arabic: عَرَق
Brazilian Portuguese: suor
Chinese: 汗水
Croatian: znoj
Czech: pot
Danish: sved
Dutch: zweet
European Spanish: sudor
Finnish: hiki
French: sueur
German: Schweiß
Greek: ιδρώτας
Italian: sudore
Japanese: 汗
Korean: 땀
Norwegian: svette
Polish: pot
European Portuguese: suor
Romanian: transpirație
Russian: пот
Latin American Spanish: sudor
Swedish: svett
Thai: เหงื่อ
Turkish: ter
Ukrainian: піт
Vietnamese: mồ hôi
British English: sweat /swɛt/ VERB
When you sweat, sweat comes through your skin.
It's really hot. I'm sweating.
American English: sweat
Arabic: يَعْرَقُ
Brazilian Portuguese: suar
Chinese: 出汗
Croatian: znojiti se
Czech: potit se
Danish: svede
Dutch: zweten
European Spanish: sudar
Finnish: hikoilla
French: suer
German: schwitzen
Greek: ιδρώνω
Italian: sudare
Japanese: 汗をかく
Korean: 땀을 흘리다
Norwegian: svette
Polish: spocić się
European Portuguese: suar
Romanian: a transpira
Russian: потеть
Latin American Spanish: sudar
Swedish: svettas
Thai: เหงื่อออก
Turkish: terlemek
Ukrainian: пітніти
Vietnamese: toát mồ hôi
All related terms of 'sweat'
sudate
to sweat
sudor
the secretion from the sweat glands , esp when profuse and visible , as during strenuous activity, from excessive heat, etc; commonly also called perspiration
no sweat!
If a person says no sweat when you ask them about something or ask them to do something, they mean that it is not a problem or that it can be done quickly or easily .
old sweat
an old soldier ; veteran
sweat bee
any of a family (Halictidae) of small bees that usually nest in vertical tunnels in the ground: some species drink animal or human perspiration
sweat it
to be annoyed by something
sweat off
to get rid of ( weight ) by strenuous exercise or sweating
sweat out
to cure or lessen the effects of (a cold, respiratory infection , etc) by sweating
cold sweat
If you are in a cold sweat , you are sweating and feel cold, usually because you are very afraid or nervous .
flop sweat
a sudden heavy perspiration caused by embarrassment
sweat blood
to work very hard to achieve something
sweat gland
any of the coiled tubular subcutaneous glands that secrete sweat by means of a duct that opens onto the skin
sweat lodge
(among native North American peoples) a structure in which water is poured onto hot stones to make the occupants sweat for religious or medicinal purposes
sweat shirt
a heavy, loose , usually long-sleeved pullover made of cotton jersey , worn as by athletes to absorb sweat during or after exercise, sometimes with loose trousers ( sweat pants ) of the same material, forming an ensemble ( sweat suit )
sweat equity
hard work put into a house, business, etc. to increase its value
sweat-stained
(of clothes or fabric) bearing the marks left by a person's sweat
sweat it out
If someone sweats it out , they remain in a difficult situation until it improves or ends, because they cannot do anything about it.
to sweat blood
If you say that someone sweats blood trying to do something, you are emphasizing that they try very hard to do it.
in a cold sweat
very frightened , anxious , or embarrassed
sweat like a pig
to be very hot and to sweat a lot
sweatshop
If you describe a small factory as a sweatshop , you mean that many people work there in poor conditions for low pay.
sweatsuit
A sweatsuit is a loose , warm , stretchy suit consisting of long trousers and a top which people wear to relax and do exercise .
sweatpants
Sweatpants are the part of a sweatsuit that covers your legs.
sweat one's guts out
to work very hard
sweatshirt
A sweatshirt is a loose warm piece of casual clothing , usually made of thick stretchy cotton, which covers the upper part of your body and your arms .
blood, sweat, and tears
If you refer to something as involving blood, sweat , and tears , you mean that it is a very hard thing to do and requires a lot of effort.
in a cold sweat/in a sweat
If someone is in a cold sweat or in a sweat , they feel frightened or embarrassed .
do something by the sweat of your brow
to do something through hard physical work, without any help from anyone else
to work your guts out
to work very hard
Chinese translation of 'sweat'
sweat
(swɛt)
n(u)
汗水 (hànshuǐ)
vi
出汗 (chū hàn)
to be in a (cold) sweat (lit) 出了一身(冷)汗 (chūle yī shēn (lěng) hàn) (fig) 吓(嚇)得出了一身(冷)汗 (xià de chūle yī shēn (lěng) hàn)
1 (noun)
Definition
the salty liquid that comes out of the skin's pores during strenuous activity in excessive heat or when afraid
He wiped the sweat off his face and looked around.
Synonyms
perspiration
Her hands were wet with perspiration.
moisture
When the soil is dry, more moisture is lost from the plant.
dampness
A chill dampness was rising from the rough grass.
exudation
diaphoresis (medicine)
sudor (medicine)
2 (noun)
(informal)
She was in a sweat about the exam.
Synonyms
panic
The earthquake has caused panic among the population.
anxiety
His voice was full of anxiety.
state (informal)
worry
distress
Her mouth grew stiff with pain and distress.
flap (informal)
Wherever he goes, there's always a flap.
frenzy
agitation
He was in a state of emotional agitation.
fluster
I was in such a fluster that I dropped the lot.
lather (informal)
`I'm not going to get into a lather over this defeat,' said the manager.
tizzy (informal)
state of anxiety
1 (verb)
Definition
to have sweat come through the skin's pores, as a result of strenuous activity, excessive heat, nervousness, or fear
Already they were sweating as the sun beat down upon them.
Synonyms
perspire
He began to perspire heavily.
swelter
sweat like a pig (informal)
sweat buckets (informal)
break out in a sweat
exude moisture
be pouring with sweat
glow
2 (verb)
Definition
to suffer anxiety or distress
(informal)
It gives sales chiefs something to sweat about.
Synonyms
worry
I worry about my daughter constantly.
fret
I was constantly fretting about others' problems.
agonize
I was agonizing over the moral issues involved.
lose sleep over
be on tenterhooks
torture yourself
be on pins and needles (informal)
(noun)
Definition
hard work or effort
(slang)
Synonyms
labour
the labour of seeding, planting and harvesting
effort
A great deal of effort had been put into the planning.
chore
toil
It is only toil which gives meaning to things.
drudgery
the drudgery of everyday life
backbreaking task
idiom
See no sweat
phrasal verb
See sweat something out
related words
related adjectivesudorific
Additional synonyms
in the sense of agitation
He was in a state of emotional agitation.
Synonyms
turmoil,
worry,
trouble,
upset,
alarm,
confusion,
excitement,
disturbance,
distraction,
upheaval,
stimulation,
flurry,
outcry,
clamour,
arousal,
ferment,
disquiet,
commotion,
fluster,
lather (informal),
incitement,
tumult,
discomposure,
tizzy, tizz or tiz-woz (informal)
in the sense of agonize
Definition
to worry greatly
I was agonizing over the moral issues involved.
Synonyms
suffer,
labour,
worry,
struggle,
strain,
strive,
writhe,
be distressed,
be in agony,
go through the mill,
be in anguish
in the sense of anxiety
Definition
a state of uneasiness about what may happen
His voice was full of anxiety.
Synonyms
uneasiness,
concern,
care,
worry,
doubt,
tension,
alarm,
distress,
suspicion,
angst,
unease,
apprehension,
misgiving,
suspense,
nervousness,
disquiet,
trepidation (formal),
foreboding,
restlessness,
solicitude,
perturbation,
watchfulness,
fretfulness,
disquietude,
apprehensiveness,
dubiety
Synonyms of 'sweat'
sweat
Explore 'sweat' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of dampness
A chill dampness was rising from the rough grass.
Synonyms
moistness,
damp,
moisture,
humidity,
wetness,
sogginess,
dankness,
clamminess,
mugginess
in the sense of distress
Definition
great physical pain
Her mouth grew stiff with pain and distress.
Synonyms
suffering,
pain,
worry,
anxiety,
torture,
grief,
misery,
agony,
sadness,
discomfort,
torment,
sorrow,
woe,
anguish,
heartache,
affliction,
desolation,
wretchedness
in the sense of drudgery
Definition
uninteresting work that must be done
the drudgery of everyday life
Synonyms
labour,
grind (informal),
sweat (informal),
hard work,
slavery,
chore,
fag (informal),
toil,
slog,
donkey-work,
sweated labour,
menial labour,
skivvying (British)
in the sense of effort
Definition
physical or mental energy needed to do something
A great deal of effort had been put into the planning.
Synonyms
exertion,
work,
labour,
trouble,
force,
energy,
struggle,
stress,
application,
strain,
striving,
graft,
toil,
welly (slang),
hard graft,
travail (literary),
elbow grease (facetious),
blood, sweat, and tears (informal)
in the sense of flap
Definition
a state of panic or agitation
Wherever he goes, there's always a flap.
Synonyms
panic,
state (informal),
agitation,
commotion,
sweat (informal),
stew (informal),
dither (British),
fluster,
twitter (informal),
tizzy (informal),
mind-fuck (taboo, slang)
in the sense of fluster
Definition
a nervous or upset state
I was in such a fluster that I dropped the lot.
Synonyms
turmoil,
state (informal),
flap (informal),
bustle,
flutter,
flurry,
ruffle,
furore,
agitation,
dither (British),
commotion,
perturbation,
disturbance
in the sense of fret
Definition
to worry
I was constantly fretting about others' problems.
Synonyms
worry,
anguish,
brood,
agonize,
obsess,
lose sleep,
upset yourself,
distress yourself
in the sense of lather
Definition
a state of agitation
`I'm not going to get into a lather over this defeat,' said the manager.
Synonyms
fluster,
state (informal),
sweat,
fever,
fuss,
flap (informal),
stew (informal),
dither (British),
twitter (informal),
tizzy (informal),
pother
in the sense of moisture
Definition
water diffused as vapour or condensed on or in objects
When the soil is dry, more moisture is lost from the plant.