verb
Common
swept
swehpt
Swept (verb) means past tense and past participle of sweep — cleaned or cleared using a brush, or carried along by force. Example: “A strong wind swept the leaves across the empty playground.”
verb
1
Past tense and past participle of sweep — cleaned or cleared using a brush, or carried along by force.
"A strong wind swept the leaves across the empty playground."
"She swept the kitchen floor before dinner."
"The current swept the boat downstream."
adj
1
Checked and cleared of hidden explosives or mines.
"The bridge was swept and cleared before the convoy was allowed across."
"Engineers walked the swept field to confirm no mines remained."
"The beach was declared swept and safe for tourists."
How to use swept
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe past form of "sweep" — cleaned with a broom, or pushed along strongly by wind, water, or emotion.
Common pairings
swept away
swept up
swept the nation
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Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unswept
Related words
Rhymes for swept
See all rhymes for swept →Frequently asked questions
What does “swept” mean?
The word “swept” means past tense and past participle of sweep — cleaned or cleared using a brush, or carried along by force. In plain terms, the past form of "sweep" — cleaned with a broom, or pushed along strongly by wind, water, or emotion.
How do you pronounce “swept”?
“Swept” is pronounced swehpt (/swɛpt/ in IPA).
How do you use “swept” in a sentence?
Here is “swept” used in a sentence: “She swept the kitchen floor before dinner.”
What part of speech is “swept”?
Depending on how it is used, “swept” can be a verb and an adjective.
Is “swept” a common word?
“Swept” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “swept” have?
“Swept” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: past tense and past participle of sweep — cleaned or cleared using a brush, or carried along by force.
Is the past tense of sweep 'swept' or 'sweeped'?
The correct past tense and past participle of sweep is 'swept,' as in 'she swept the floor' and 'the leaves were swept away.' 'Sweeped' is not a standard English word and is considered incorrect.
