sweet

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sweet" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to mean something pleasant, as in the sentence: "The sweet smell of fresh-baked cookies filled the kitchen." It can also mean something that tastes good, as in the sentence: "This apple pie is so sweet!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's very sweet, polite, hard-working, kind and generally lovely.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I realised what a sweet, charming man he was.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

OH Idea: Breeding sweet potatoes to contain betacarotene, to help in the fight against childhood blindness.

The Guardian

But on the third listen, it suddenly made sense: the dark arpeggiating tones and sweet falsetto melodies.

The Guardian - Music

For India's middle class, Italian coffee has replaced sweet chai as the drink of choice and Social (9a-12 Hauz Khas Village, socialoffline.in) is an upscale, urban hangout with hotdesking facilities that does a good cup.

The Guardian - Travel

I tried sweet ice wine, made from grapes that have frozen on the vine.

The Guardian - Travel

Try the skewer of seared tuna with meltingly fresh foie gras and a sweet, umami-heavy reduction of Pedro Ximénez sherry.

The Guardian - Travel

Surely, now, this is the moment where the summer of Watto will be taken into the stables, given a quick injection and told to sleep, go to sleep now, sweet Watto, go to sleep.

The Guardian - Sport

It's saccharin sweet and utterly addictive – like reality TV, but with cupcakes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Unusually laced with wheat malt, which gives it a thicker mouthfeel and a notably earthy, grainy aspect, this hits you with a triple whammy of big, sweet, juicy caramelised malts; then unsweetened grapefruit, pepper and lemon notes; and finally a lingering bitterness that rolls on and on.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mother immediately returned with a little saucer of hot sweet tea and within moments the little fellow was as good as new.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context. "Sweet" can refer to taste, smell, sound, or disposition. Choose the word that best reflects your intended meaning.

Common error

While "sweet" is versatile, it may sound informal in academic or professional contexts. Opt for stronger, more precise adjectives like "pleasant", "agreeable", or specific taste descriptors like "sugary" or "fruity".

Linguistic Context

The word "sweet" primarily functions as an adjective, describing a quality or characteristic. It is commonly used to denote a pleasant taste, smell, sound, or disposition. As Ludwig AI states, it indicates a "taste sensation induced by sugar" or describes something "very pleasing".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Lifestyle

25%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "sweet" is a versatile adjective used to describe pleasant tastes, smells, sounds, or dispositions. As noted by Ludwig AI, it can refer to a sugary flavor or something generally pleasing. While grammatically correct and very common, its usage should be tailored to the context. In formal settings, consider stronger, more specific alternatives. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its widespread use across various domains, particularly in news, lifestyle, and travel. Remember to consider the nuances of "sweet" to choose the most appropriate word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pleasant

Focuses on general agreeableness or attractiveness, losing the specific connotation of kindness or sugary flavor.

kind

Highlights the aspect of benevolence or helpfulness, excluding the taste-related meaning.

agreeable

Emphasizes the quality of being pleasing or acceptable, lacking the nuance of affection or flavor.

charming

Conveys a sense of delightful attractiveness or charisma, moving away from pure goodness or flavor.

lovely

Signifies beauty or delightfulness, differing from the direct sensory experience of taste.

delightful

Focuses on a high degree of pleasure or satisfaction, omitting the specific reference to taste or gentle nature.

amiable

Underlines friendliness and sociability, disconnecting from the taste-related meaning and affectionate feelings.

enjoyable

Stresses the capacity to give pleasure, excluding connotations related to taste or gentle character.

endearing

Points out the capability of inspiring affection, sidelining the sensory or flavor-based associations.

sugary

Specifically relates to the taste of sugar, unlike the broader applications of "sweet".

FAQs

How can I use "sweet" in a sentence?

You can use "sweet" to describe a pleasant taste (e.g., "This candy is very sweet"), a pleasing smell (e.g., "The sweet aroma of flowers filled the air"), or a kind person (e.g., "She's a sweet and helpful friend").

What are some synonyms for "sweet" when describing a person?

Depending on the context, you could use adjectives such as "kind", "pleasant", "charming", "lovely", or "amiable".

When should I avoid using the word "sweet"?

Avoid using "sweet" in formal writing when more precise or sophisticated vocabulary would be appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "The agreement was sweet", consider "The agreement was advantageous" or "favorable".

Is "sweet" always a positive adjective?

Generally, yes. However, overuse can sometimes come across as saccharine or cloying. Be mindful of the tone you want to convey, and consider alternative adjectives if necessary.