Ask Difference

Sweet vs. Sweat — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on July 10, 2024
"Sweet" refers to a pleasant taste, like sugar, while "Sweat" is the moisture excreted by skin, often due to heat or exercise.
Sweet vs. Sweat — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Sweet and Sweat

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Key Differences

"Sweet" is primarily an adjective used to describe something that has a sugary taste or pleasant disposition. For instance, honey has a sweet flavor. On the other hand, "Sweat" is primarily a noun referring to the salty liquid that the skin produces, especially when hot, exerted, or nervous.
When someone mentions "Sweet" in the context of food, they're often referring to the opposite of savory or bitter tastes. Foods like candy, pastries, and fruits are frequently described as sweet. "Sweat," however, brings to mind images of physical exertion, such as an intense workout, leading to perspiration.
Beyond the literal sense, "Sweet" can be used figuratively to describe experiences, sounds, or personalities that are delightful or agreeable. A melodious tune might be described as having a sweet sound. "Sweat" can also have figurative meanings, such as in the phrase "breaking a sweat," which means exerting effort.
"Sweet" can also be used as a noun, especially in British English, to refer to candy or confectionery. For example, children might be given a bag of sweets. In contrast, "Sweat" can be used as a verb, meaning to excrete the liquid through the skin or to fret about something.
Another differentiation is in their idiomatic usage. Phrases like "sweet dreams" or "home sweet home" emphasize comfort and pleasure. Phrases involving "Sweat," like "don't sweat the small stuff," emphasize not worrying or exerting too much effort on minor matters.
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Comparison Chart

Part of Speech

Primarily an adjective, but can also be a noun
Primarily a noun, but can also be a verb

Main Definition

Having a pleasant, sugary taste
The moisture excreted by the skin, especially when hot or exerted

Figurative Meaning

Delightful or agreeable experiences, sounds, or personalities
Exerting effort or being worried about something

Idiomatic Usage

Used in phrases emphasizing comfort and pleasure (e.g., "sweet dreams")
Used in phrases emphasizing effort or worry (e.g., "don't sweat it")

Opposite Meaning

Opposite of savory or bitter tastes
Opposite of being dry or calm

Compare with Definitions

Sweet

Pleasing in general; delightful.
She has a sweet personality.

Sweat

To perspire, especially due to heat or physical activity.
I sweat profusely during my workout.

Sweet

Used to express affection or endearment.
Goodnight, my sweet.

Sweat

To be anxious or worried about something.
Don't sweat the details; everything will be fine.

Sweet

Having the pleasant taste characteristic of sugar or honey; not salt, sour, or bitter
A cup of hot sweet tea

Sweat

A state of anxiety or impatience.
Waiting for the results put me in a sweat.

Sweet

Pleasing in general; delightful
It was the sweet life he had always craved

Sweat

Moisture exuded through the pores of the skin, typically in profuse quantities as a reaction to heat, physical exertion, fever, or fear
Beads of sweat broke out on her brow

Sweet

(of a person or action) pleasant and kind or thoughtful
It was sweet of you to come
A very sweet nurse came along

Sweat

Another term for sweatsuit or sweatpants

Sweet

Used for emphasis in various phrases and exclamations
What had happened? Sweet nothing

Sweat

Exude sweat
He was sweating profusely

Sweet

A small shaped piece of confectionery made with sugar
A bag of sweets

Sweat

Heat (chopped vegetables) slowly in a pan with a small amount of fat, so that they cook in their own juices
Sweat the celery and onions with olive oil and seasoning

Sweet

A sweet dish forming a course of a meal; a pudding or dessert.

Sweat

Subject (metal) to surface melting, especially to fasten or join by solder without a soldering iron
The tyre is sweated on to the wooden parts

Sweet

Used as an affectionate form of address
Hello, my sweet

Sweat

To excrete perspiration through the pores in the skin; perspire.

Sweet

The sweet part or element of something
You have had the bitter, now comes the sweet

Sweat

To exude in droplets, as moisture from certain cheeses or sap from a tree.

Sweet

Having the taste of sugar or a substance containing or resembling sugar, as honey or saccharin.

Sweat

To collect moisture in small drops from the air, as a cold water pipe.

Sweet

Containing or derived from sugar.

Sweat

To release moisture, as hay in the swath.

Sweet

Retaining some natural sugar; not dry
A sweet wine.

Sweat

To ferment, as tobacco during curing.

Sweet

Pleasing to the senses; agreeable
The sweet song of the lark.
A sweet face.

Sweat

(Informal) To work long and hard
Sweated over his term paper.

Sweet

Pleasing to the mind or feelings; gratifying
Sweet revenge.

Sweat

(Informal) To fret or worry
Don't sweat over the bills.

Sweet

Having a pleasing disposition; lovable
A sweet child.

Sweat

To excrete (moisture) through a porous surface, such as the skin.

Sweet

Kind; gracious
It was sweet of him to help out.

Sweat

To excrete (wastes) in perspiration
Sweated out the toxins in the steam room.

Sweet

Fragrant; perfumed
A sweet scent.

Sweat

To have (moisture) condense in small drops on a surface.

Sweet

Not saline or salted
Sweet water.
Sweet butter.

Sweat

To cause to perspire, as by drugs, heat, or strenuous exercise
Running for the train got me sweated up.

Sweet

Not spoiled, sour, or decaying; fresh
Sweet milk.

Sweat

To make damp or wet with perspiration
His shirt was sweated.

Sweet

Free of acid or acidity
Sweet soil.

Sweat

To cause to work excessively; overwork.

Sweet

Low in sulfur content
Sweet fuel oil.

Sweat

To overwork and underpay (employees).

Sweet

(Music) Of, relating to, or being a form of jazz characterized by adherence to a melodic line and to a time signature.

Sweat

To interrogate (someone) under duress
Sweated the suspected spy for hours.

Sweet

Remarkable; outstanding.

Sweat

To extract (information) from someone under duress
The police sweated the information out of the suspect.

Sweet

Used as an intensive
Took his own sweet time to finish.
Earns a sweet million per year.

Sweat

(Metallurgy) To join (metal parts) by interposing cold solder and then heating.

Sweet

In a sweet manner; sweetly.

Sweat

To steam (vegetables or other food).

Sweet

Sweet taste or quality; sweetness.

Sweat

(Informal) To fret or worry about
Don't sweat the details.

Sweet

Something sweet to the taste.

Sweat

The colorless saline moisture excreted by the sweat glands; perspiration.

Sweet

Foods, such as candy, pastries, puddings, or preserves, that are high in sugar content.

Sweat

Condensation of moisture in the form of droplets on a surface.

Sweet

(Informal) Sweet potatoes
Candied sweets.

Sweat

The process of sweating.

Sweet

A sweet dish, such as pudding, served as dessert.

Sweat

A condition or instance of sweating
Worked up a sweat raking leaves.

Sweet

A sweetmeat or confection.

Sweat

Strenuous labor or exertion
It took a lot of sweat to move the piano.

Sweet

A dear or beloved person.

Sweat

A run given to a horse as exercise before a race.

Sweet

Something pleasing to the mind or feelings.

Sweat

(Informal) An anxious, fretful condition
Got myself in a sweat over the deadline.

Sweet

Having a pleasant taste, especially one relating to the basic taste sensation induced by sugar.
A sweet apple

Sweat

A sweatsuit.

Sweet

Having a taste of sugar.

Sweat

Sweatpants.

Sweet

(wine) Retaining a portion of sugar.
Sweet wines are better dessert wines.

Sweat

Fluid that exits the body through pores in the skin usually due to physical stress and/or high temperature for the purpose of regulating body temperature and removing certain compounds from the circulation.

Sweet

Not having a salty taste.
Sweet butter

Sweat

The state of one who sweats; diaphoresis.
Just thinking about the interview tomorrow puts me into a nervous sweat.

Sweet

Having a pleasant smell.
A sweet scent

Sweat

(figurative) Hard work; toil.

Sweet

Not decaying, fermented, rancid, sour, spoiled, or stale.
Sweet milk

Sweat

(figurative) Moisture issuing from any substance.

Sweet

Having a pleasant sound.
A sweet tune

Sweat

A short run by a racehorse as a form of exercise.

Sweet

Having a pleasing disposition.
A sweet child
You're so sweet!

Sweat

(historical) The sweating sickness.

Sweet

Having a helpful disposition.
It was sweet of him to help out.

Sweat

A soldier (especially one who is old or experienced).

Sweet

(mineralogy) Free from excessive unwanted substances like acid or sulphur.
Sweet gas
Sweet soil
Sweet crude oil

Sweat

An extremely competitive player.

Sweet

(informal) Very pleasing; agreeable.
The new Lexus was a sweet birthday gift.

Sweat

(intransitive) To emit sweat.

Sweet

(slang) Doing well; in a good or happy position.

Sweat

(transitive) To cause to excrete moisture through skin.

Sweet

Romantically fixated; enamored with; fond of.
The attraction was mutual and instant; they were sweet on one another from first sight.

Sweat

To cause to perspire.
His physicians attempted to sweat him by most powerful sudorifics.

Sweet

; not salt or brackish.
Sweet water

Sweat

To work hard.
I've been sweating over my essay all day.

Sweet

To the eye; beautiful; mild and attractive; fair.
A sweet face
A sweet colour or complexion

Sweat

(video games) To be extremely dedicated to winning a game; to play competitively.

Sweet

An intensifier.

Sweat

To extract money, labour, etc. from, by exaction or oppression.
To sweat a spendthrift
To sweat labourers

Sweet

Used as a positive response to good news or information.
They're making a sequel? Ah, sweet!

Sweat

To worry.

Sweet

In a sweet manner.

Sweat

To worry about (something).
Don't sweat it!
To sweat the small stuff

Sweet

(uncountable) The basic taste sensation induced by sugar.

Sweat

(transitive) To emit, in the manner of sweat.
To sweat blood

Sweet

A confection made from sugar, or high in sugar content; a candy.

Sweat

(intransitive) To emit moisture.
The cheese will start sweating if you don't refrigerate it.

Sweet

A food eaten for dessert.
Can we see the sweet menu, please?

Sweat

(intransitive) To have drops of water form on (something's surface) due to moisture condensation.
Coasters are a good way to stop a sweating glass from damaging your table.

Sweet

Synonym of sweetheart, a term of affection.
Good evening, my sweet.

Sweat

To solder (a pipe joint) together.

Sweet

(obsolete) That which is sweet or pleasant in odour; a perfume.

Sweat

To stress out.
Stop sweatin' me!

Sweet

(obsolete) Sweetness, delight; something pleasant to the mind or senses.

Sweat

To cook slowly at low heat, in shallow oil and without browning, to reduce moisture content.

Sweet

To sweeten.

Sweat

To remove a portion of (a coin), as by shaking it with others in a bag, so that the friction wears off a small quantity of the metal.

Sweet

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.

Sweat

(intransitive) To suffer a penalty; to smart for one's misdeeds.

Sweet

Pleasing to the smell; fragrant; redolent; balmy; as, a sweet rose; sweet odor; sweet incense.
The breath of these flowers is sweet to me.

Sweat

(transitive) To take a racehorse for a short exercise run.

Sweet

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.
To make his English sweet upon his tongue.
A voice sweet, tremulous, but powerful.

Sweat

To excrete sensible moisture from the pores of the skin; to perspire.

Sweet

Pleasing to the eye; beautiful; mild and attractive; fair; as, a sweet face; a sweet color or complexion.
Sweet interchangeOf hill and valley, rivers, woods, and plains.

Sweat

Fig.: To perspire in toil; to work hard; to drudge.
He 'd have the poets sweat.

Sweet

Fresh; not salt or brackish; as, sweet water.

Sweat

To emit moisture, as green plants in a heap.

Sweet

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.

Sweat

To cause to excrete moisture from the skin; to cause to perspire; as, his physicians attempted to sweat him by most powerful sudorifics.

Sweet

Plaesing to the mind; mild; gentle; calm; amiable; winning; presuasive; as, sweet manners.
Canst thou bind the sweet influence of Pleiades?
Mildness and sweet reasonableness is the one established rule of Christian working.

Sweat

To emit or suffer to flow from the pores; to exude.
It made her not a drop for sweat.
With exercise she sweat ill humors out.

Sweet

That which is sweet to the taste; - used chiefly in the plural.

Sweat

To unite by heating, after the application of soldier.

Sweet

That which is sweet or pleasant in odor; a perfume.

Sweat

To get something advantageous, as money, property, or labor from (any one), by exaction or oppression; as, to sweat a spendthrift; to sweat laborers.
The only use of it [money] which is interdicted is to put it in circulation again after having diminished its weight by "sweating", or otherwise, because the quantity of metal contains is no longer consistent with its impression.

Sweet

That which is pleasing or grateful to the mind; as, the sweets of domestic life.
A little bitter mingled in our cup leaves no relish of the sweet.

Sweat

The fluid which is excreted from the skin of an animal; the fluid secreted by the sudoriferous glands; a transparent, colorless, acid liquid with a peculiar odor, containing some fatty acids and mineral matter; perspiration. See Perspiration.
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.

Sweet

One who is dear to another; a darling; - a term of endearment.

Sweat

The act of sweating; or the state of one who sweats; hence, labor; toil; drudgery.

Sweet

Sweetly.

Sweat

Moisture issuing from any substance; as, the sweat of hay or grain in a mow or stack.

Sweet

To sweeten.

Sweat

The sweating sickness.

Sweet

English phonetician; one of the founders of modern phonetics (1845-1912)

Sweat

A short run by a race horse in exercise.

Sweet

A dish served as the last course of a meal

Sweat

Salty fluid secreted by sweat glands;
Sweat poured off his brow

Sweet

A food rich in sugar

Sweat

Agitation resulting from active worry;
Don't get in a stew
He's in a sweat about exams

Sweet

The taste experience when sugar dissolves in the mouth

Sweat

Condensation of moisture on a cold surface;
The cold glasses were streaked with sweat

Sweet

The property of containing sugar

Sweat

Use of physical or mental energy; hard work;
He got an A for effort
They managed only with great exertion

Sweet

Having a pleasant taste (as of sugar)

Sweat

Excrete perspiration through the pores in the skin;
Exercise makes one sweat

Sweet

Having a sweet nature befitting an angel or cherub;
An angelic smile
A cherubic face
Looking so seraphic when he slept
A sweet disposition

Sweat

The moisture excreted by the sweat glands of the skin.
After his run, he was covered in sweat.

Sweet

Pleasing to the ear;
The dulcet tones of the cello

Sweat

To work hard or exert oneself.
He sweated over his final exams.

Sweet

One of the four basic taste sensations; very pleasant; like the taste of sugar or honey

Sweet

Pleasing to the senses;
The sweet song of the lark
The sweet face of a child

Sweet

Pleasing to the mind or feeling;
Sweet revenge

Sweet

Having a natural fragrance;
Odoriferous spices
The odorous air of the orchard
The perfumed air of June
Scented flowers

Sweet

(used of wines) having a sweet taste

Sweet

Not soured or preserved;
Sweet milk

Sweet

With sweetening added

Sweet

Not having a salty taste;
Sweet water

Sweet

In an affectionate or loving manner (`sweet' is sometimes a poetic or informal variant of `sweetly');
Susan Hayward plays the wife sharply and sweetly
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank
Talking sweet to each other

Sweet

Having a sugary taste.
The cake was very sweet and delicious.

Sweet

Music that is smooth or soft in style or effect.
The sweet melody of the violin lulled me to sleep.

Sweet

British term for candy or confectionery.
I bought some sweets from the store.

Common Curiosities

Can "Sweet" and "Sweat" be used figuratively?

Yes, both words have figurative meanings, like "sweet dreams" or "breaking a sweat."

Is "Sweat" only produced during physical activity?

No, sweat can be produced from heat, stress, or nervousness as well.

How are "Sweet" and "Sweat" primarily used in a sentence?

"Sweet" is primarily an adjective, and "Sweat" is primarily a noun.

Can "Sweet" describe sounds?

Yes, a harmonious or soft sound can be described as "sweet."

What does it mean when someone says "Don't sweat it"?

"Don't sweat it" means "Don't worry about it."

Are there synonyms for "Sweat"?

Yes, synonyms include perspiration and perspire.

Is "Sweet" always related to taste?

No, "Sweet" can describe anything pleasant, like a sound or personality, not just taste.

Can "Sweet" be used as a noun?

Yes, especially in British English, "Sweet" can refer to candy.

Are there idioms involving the word "Sweet"?

Yes, such as "Home sweet home" or "Short but sweet."

Can "Sweat" refer to hard work?

Yes, if someone says they "sweated over" something, it means they worked hard on it.

How are "Sweet" and "Sweat" pronounced?

"Sweet" rhymes with "meet," and "Sweat" rhymes with "bet."

Are there synonyms for "Sweet"?

Yes, synonyms include sugary, saccharine, and honeyed.

Can "Sweat" be used as a verb?

Yes, "to sweat" means to perspire or to worry about something.

Is "Sweat" always visible?

No, sometimes a person might sweat minimally or internally without it being noticeable.

Are "Sweet" and "Sweat" homophones?

No, they have distinct pronunciations and meanings.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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