sweater
SWEH-tuh
Sweater (noun) means a knitted garment worn over the upper body for warmth, usually pulled over the head. Example: “She wore a thick wool sweater on the chilly morning walk.”
noun
1
A knitted garment worn over the upper body for warmth, usually pulled over the head.
"She wore a thick wool sweater on the chilly morning walk."
"He got a Christmas sweater with a reindeer on it as a gift."
"I pulled a warm sweater over my head and went out into the snow."
How to use sweater
Learner’s notes
UK vs US
In British English, "jumper" is often used instead of "sweater" for the same garment.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
wool sweater
knitted sweater
wear a sweater
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Word forms
- Plural
- sweaters
- Third person singular
- sweaters
- Past tense
- sweatered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She wore a thick wool _____ on the chilly morning walk.
Etymology
From Middle English swētere, built from "sweat" plus the "-er" ending — originally clothing worn to induce sweating during exercise.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for sweater
See all rhymes for sweater →Frequently asked questions
What does “sweater” mean?
The word “sweater” means a knitted garment worn over the upper body for warmth, usually pulled over the head.
How do you pronounce “sweater”?
“Sweater” is pronounced SWEH-tuh (/ˈswɛtɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sweater” in a sentence?
Here is “sweater” used in a sentence: “She wore a thick wool sweater on the chilly morning walk.”
What part of speech is “sweater”?
“Sweater” is a noun.
Where does the word “sweater” come from?
The word “sweater” comes from Middle English. From Middle English swētere, built from "sweat" plus the "-er" ending — originally clothing worn to induce sweating during exercise.
Is “sweater” a common word?
“Sweater” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between a sweater and a jumper?
A sweater and a jumper refer to the same type of knitted garment worn over the upper body for warmth; 'sweater' is the term more common in American English, while 'jumper' is preferred in British English. Both are typically pulled on over the head.
What is the difference between a sweater and a cardigan?
A sweater is usually pulled over the head with no front opening, while a cardigan opens down the front, typically with buttons or a zip. Both are knitted garments worn for warmth over the upper body.
What is the difference between a sweater and a hoodie?
A sweater is a knitted garment pulled over the head, while a hoodie is typically made from a softer, often unknitted fabric and features a hood, giving it a more casual, sporty character. Sweaters tend to read as slightly more formal than hoodies.
