sweep
sweep
Sweep (verb) means to clean a surface by brushing dirt or debris away, usually with a broom. Example: “Please sweep up the crumbs under the table before the guests arrive.”
verb
1
To clean a surface by brushing dirt or debris away, usually with a broom.
"Please sweep up the crumbs under the table before the guests arrive."
"She swept the kitchen floor after dinner."
"He swept the leaves off the porch steps."
2
To move quickly and smoothly across an area.
"Headlights swept across the ceiling as the car turned into the drive."
"A wave of laughter swept through the hall when he tripped over his words."
"A cold front swept through the region overnight."
3
To win every game in a series or competition without a single loss.
"The home side swept the series without dropping a single match."
"Our school's quiz team swept every round and took the trophy home."
"The team swept the finals in four straight games."
4
To search an area thoroughly and systematically.
"Rescuers swept the hillside for any sign of the lost hikers."
"The technician swept the office for hidden listening devices before the meeting."
"Police swept the building for the missing suspect."
How to use sweep
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo clean with broad brushing strokes, to move quickly across something, or to win every game in a series.
Common pairings
sweep the floor
sweep the series
sweep through
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- sweeps
- Past tense
- swept
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please _____ up the crumbs under the table before the guests arrive.
Etymology
From Middle English swepen, tracing back through Old Germanic roots related to a swinging or striking motion — the same family as "swoop."
Related words
Rhymes for sweep
See all rhymes for sweep →Frequently asked questions
What does “sweep” mean?
The word “sweep” means to clean a surface by brushing dirt or debris away, usually with a broom. In plain terms, to clean with broad brushing strokes, to move quickly across something, or to win every game in a series.
How do you pronounce “sweep”?
“Sweep” is pronounced sweep (/swip/ in IPA).
How do you use “sweep” in a sentence?
Here is “sweep” used in a sentence: “She swept the kitchen floor after dinner.”
What part of speech is “sweep”?
“Sweep” is a verb.
Where does the word “sweep” come from?
The word “sweep” comes from Middle English. From Middle English swepen, tracing back through Old Germanic roots related to a swinging or striking motion — the same family as "swoop.".
Is “sweep” a common word?
“Sweep” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “sweep” have?
“Sweep” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to clean a surface by brushing dirt or debris away, usually with a broom.
What is the difference between "sweep" and "mop"?
"Sweep" means to clean a surface by brushing away dirt or debris, usually with a broom. "Mop" means to clean a floor using a wet mop and water or cleaning fluid, so you sweep up dry dirt but mop up spills and stains.
What is the difference between "sweep up" and "sweep away"?
"Sweep up" means to gather and remove dirt or mess by brushing it together, as in sweeping up broken glass. "Sweep away" means to remove or destroy something completely, often forcefully, such as a flood sweeping away a bridge.
How is "sweep" used in sport?
In sport, to "sweep" a series means to win every game or match in it without a single loss. A "clean sweep" can also mean winning all the available prizes, titles, or positions in a competition.
How is "sweep" used to describe searching an area?
To "sweep" an area means to search it thoroughly and systematically, as police or soldiers might sweep a building. It suggests moving steadily across the whole space so nothing is missed.
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