sweet
13 synonyms and 17 antonyms for sweet, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Having the taste of sugar; not sour, salty, or bitter.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use sweet
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English swēte, going back through Proto-Germanic to a very old Indo-European root for "sweet," shared with words in Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit.
Full origin of sweet →Frequently asked questions
What does “sweet” mean?
The word “sweet” means having the taste of sugar; not sour, salty, or bitter. In plain terms, tasting like sugar, or describing a kind, likeable person; also used casually to mean "great.".
How do you pronounce “sweet”?
“Sweet” is pronounced sweet (/swit/ in IPA).
How do you use “sweet” in a sentence?
Here is “sweet” used in a sentence: “The strawberries were perfectly ripe and sweet.”
What is another word for “sweet”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sweet” include nectareal, nectarean, nectarous, nectarine, sappy and sweetsome.
What is the opposite of “sweet”?
The opposite of “sweet” — its antonyms — are bitter, sour, salty, nonsweet and sugarless.
What part of speech is “sweet”?
Depending on how it is used, “sweet” can be an adjective, a noun and an intj.
Where does the word “sweet” come from?
The word “sweet” comes from Latin. From Old English swēte, going back through Proto-Germanic to a very old Indo-European root for "sweet," shared with words in Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit.
Is “sweet” a common word?
“Sweet” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the opposite of sweet?
In terms of taste, the main opposites of sweet are sour and bitter, with salty also standing in contrast. Sweetness comes from sugars, while sourness comes from acids and bitterness from compounds like those in coffee or dark chocolate. Unsweetened or savory foods are commonly described as "not sweet."
What is the difference between sweet and savory?
Sweet describes the sugary taste of foods like fruit, honey, and desserts. Savory describes salty, rich, or umami flavors — think roast meat, cheese, or broth — without noticeable sweetness. Many cuisines balance the two, and some dishes are deliberately sweet-and-savory, combining sugar with salt or spice.
What are the five basic tastes?
The tongue detects five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami (savory). Sweet signals sugars and quick energy, which is why humans are naturally drawn to it from birth. These tastes combine with aroma, texture, and temperature to create the full flavor of anything we eat.