adj
Common
sweeping
SWEE-pihng
Sweeping (adj) means wide-ranging and affecting many things at once. Example: “The government announced sweeping reforms to the tax system.”
adj
1
Wide-ranging and affecting many things at once.
"The government announced sweeping reforms to the tax system."
"The new manager made sweeping changes to how the whole department works."
"It is unfair to make such sweeping claims about every teenager."
2
Extending in a broad, continuous curve or motion.
"The road follows a sweeping bend along the coast."
"A sweeping staircase led up from the hall to the first floor."
"The bird made a sweeping turn over the lake before landing."
noun
1
The act of cleaning with a broom.
"The daily sweeping of the shop floor was his job."
"After the party, the sweeping of the hall took nearly an hour."
"Sweeping is a quick way to keep dust out of the kitchen."
How to use sweeping
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something broad and far-reaching, like major changes, or a wide curving motion.
Common pairings
sweeping changes
sweeping reforms
sweeping view
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Word forms
- Plural
- sweepings
- Comparative
- more sweeping
- Superlative
- most sweeping
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The government announced _____ reforms to the tax system.
Etymology
Formed from "sweep" plus the "-ing" ending.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sweeping
weeping
peeping
keeping
beeping
seeping
sleeping
creeping
bleeping
beekeeping
safekeeping
bookkeeping
peacekeeping
See all rhymes for sweeping →
Frequently asked questions
What does “sweeping” mean?
The word “sweeping” means wide-ranging and affecting many things at once. In plain terms, describes something broad and far-reaching, like major changes, or a wide curving motion.
How do you pronounce “sweeping”?
“Sweeping” is pronounced SWEE-pihng (/ˈswiːpɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sweeping” in a sentence?
Here is “sweeping” used in a sentence: “The government announced sweeping reforms to the tax system.”
What part of speech is “sweeping”?
Depending on how it is used, “sweeping” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “sweeping” a common word?
“Sweeping” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sweeping” have?
“Sweeping” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: wide-ranging and affecting many things at once.
What does it mean to describe changes as sweeping?
Describing changes as 'sweeping' means they are wide-ranging, affecting many things or areas at once rather than being limited or minor. The word emphasises the scale and reach of the change.
What is the difference between sweeping and gradual when describing change?
Sweeping change is broad and affects many things at once, often implying a decisive, comprehensive shift, while gradual change happens slowly and incrementally over time. The two describe different paces and scopes of change rather than opposite outcomes.
Can sweeping be used to describe something other than change?
Yes, 'sweeping' can also describe something that extends in a broad, continuous curve or motion, such as a sweeping staircase or a sweeping gesture. It additionally functions as a noun referring to the act of cleaning with a broom.
