Sweat - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT sweat /swɛt/ /swɛt/ IPA guide

Other forms: sweating; sweated; sweats

Sweat is perspiration that makes you feel cooler when it evaporates off the surface of your skin — or the giving-off of this liquid. If you exercise hard, you will sweat.

The word sweat comes from the Old English word swætan, which means “perspire,” and “work hard.” Though sweat is the body's way of cooling itself, today it also means "to worry or be stressed out." If someone tells you not to sweat it, it means "don't worry." But if someone is "sweating" you, it means you are hassled, maybe being asked every five minutes, "Did you finish your work yet?"

Definitions of sweat

noun salty fluid secreted by sweat glands “sweat poured off his brow” synonyms: perspiration, sudor see moresee less type of: secretion a functionally specialized substance (especially one that is not a waste) released from a gland or cell
noun condensation of moisture on a cold surface “the cold glasses were streaked with sweat” see moresee less type of: condensate, condensation atmospheric moisture that has condensed because of cold
noun use of physical or mental energy; hard work synonyms: effort, elbow grease, exertion, travail see moresee less types: show 31 types... hide 31 types... struggle strenuous effort difficulty, trouble an effort that is inconvenient least effort, least resistance the least effortful way to do something strain, straining an intense or violent exertion exercise, exercising, physical exercise, physical exertion, workout the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit pull a sustained effort application, diligence a diligent effort overkill any effort that seems to go farther than would be necessary to achieve its goal supererogation an effort above and beyond the call of duty overexertion excessive exertion; so much exertion that discomfort or injury results detrition, friction, rubbing effort expended in moving one object over another with pressure attrition the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction cardiopulmonary exercise exercise intended to strengthen the circulatory system gymnastic exercise (gymnastics) an exercise designed to develop and display strength and agility and balance (usually performed with or on some gymnastic apparatus) kick up raising the feet backward with the hands on the ground; a first movement in doing a handstand grapple, grappling, hand-to-hand struggle, wrestle, wrestling the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat the devil something difficult or awkward to do or deal with tsuris (Yiddish) aggravating trouble exercise set, set several exercises intended to be done in series anaerobic exercise, bodybuilding, muscle building, musclebuilding exercise that builds muscles through tension calisthenics, callisthenics light exercises designed to promote general fitness isometric exercise, isometrics muscle-building exercises (or a system of musclebuilding exercises) involving muscular contractions against resistance without movement (the muscles contracts but the length of the muscle does not change) isotonic exercise exercise in which opposing muscles contract and there is controlled movement (tension is constant while the lengths of the muscles change) Kegel exercises, pubococcygeus exercises exercises for women designed to improve the ability to hold urine stretch, stretching exercise designed to extend the limbs and muscles to their full extent arm exercise exercise designed to strengthen the arm muscles back exercise exercise designed to strengthen the back muscles leg exercise exercise designed to strengthen the leg muscles neck exercise exercise designed to strengthen the neck muscles stomach exercise, tummy crunch an exercise designed to strengthen the abdominal muscles yoga a system of exercises practiced as part of the Hindu discipline to promote control of the body and mind type of: labor, labour, toil productive work (especially physical work done for wages)
noun agitation resulting from active worry “he's in a sweat about exams” synonyms: fret, lather, stew, swither see moresee less type of: agitation a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
verb excrete perspiration through the pores in the skin “Exercise makes one sweat” synonyms: perspire, sudate see moresee less types: swelter suffer from intense heat type of: egest, eliminate, excrete, pass eliminate from the body

Pronunciation US /swɛt/ UK /swɛt/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘sweat'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

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