adj
Uncommon
sweaty
SWEH-tee
Sweaty (adj) means Covered in or damp with sweat. Example: “He came in from the gym, sweaty and out of breath.”
adj
1
Covered in or damp with sweat.
"He came in from the gym, sweaty and out of breath."
"Her palms were sweaty before the big presentation."
2
Informal: excessively competitive or intense, especially in gaming.
"That lobby was full of sweaty players trying way too hard."
How to use sweaty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDamp with sweat, or (as slang) trying way too hard, especially in competitive games.
When to use it
The "overly competitive" sense is casual gaming slang, not standard usage.
Common pairings
sweaty palms
sweaty gamer
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Word forms
- Plural
- sweaties
- Comparative
- sweatier
- Superlative
- sweatiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He came in from the gym, _____ and out of breath.
Etymology
From Middle English swety, built from "sweat" plus "-y."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for sweaty
See all rhymes for sweaty →Frequently asked questions
What does “sweaty” mean?
The word “sweaty” means covered in or damp with sweat. In plain terms, damp with sweat, or (as slang) trying way too hard, especially in competitive games.
How do you pronounce “sweaty”?
“Sweaty” is pronounced SWEH-tee ([ˈswɛɾi] in IPA).
How do you use “sweaty” in a sentence?
Here is “sweaty” used in a sentence: “He came in from the gym, sweaty and out of breath.”
What part of speech is “sweaty”?
“Sweaty” is an adjective.
Where does the word “sweaty” come from?
The word “sweaty” comes from Middle English. From Middle English swety, built from "sweat" plus "-y.".
Is “sweaty” a common word?
“Sweaty” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sweaty” have?
“Sweaty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: covered in or damp with sweat.
What does sweaty mean in gaming slang?
In informal gaming usage, sweaty describes someone or something excessively competitive or intense, often implying a player is trying unusually hard or taking a casual game too seriously. This is distinct from the literal sense of being covered in or damp with sweat.
Is sweaty an insult in gaming contexts?
Sweaty is often used informally and can be mildly critical, implying someone is overly competitive or intense in a way that feels excessive for the setting. Its tone depends heavily on context, ranging from teasing to genuinely negative.
What is the difference between the literal and slang meanings of sweaty?
Literally, sweaty describes being covered in or damp with sweat, a physical description. In informal, especially gaming, slang, sweaty instead describes an attitude or behavior that is excessively competitive or intense. The slang sense does not require actual perspiration.
