ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sweating

n. · adj.
US //ˈswɛtɪŋ// UK //swˈɛtɪŋ// sweat·ing
  1. 1 perspiration (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Medicine

    the process of liquid coming through your skin when you are hot, nervous, or ill.

    the physiological production and evaporation of watery fluid from the sweat glands to regulate body temperature.

    Example

    Heavy sweating during a workout is a sign that your body is cooling itself down.

    Example

    Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying medical condition rather than just a response to heat.
    • perspiration
    • perspiring
  2. 2 cooking technique (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Cooking

    heating vegetables slowly in a little oil or butter until they become soft.

    the culinary process of heating vegetables in a small amount of fat over low heat to soften them without browning.

    Example

    The recipe starts with the sweating of onions and celery for ten minutes.

    Example

    Proper sweating of the aromatics ensures that the base of the soup is sweet and translucent rather than bitter and charred.
  3. 3 covered in moisture (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    covered in sweat or small drops of water.

    exhibiting or producing moisture on a surface, often used to describe skin or cold containers.

    Example

    She wiped her sweating forehead with a towel after the dance class.

    Example

    The waiter placed a sweating glass of iced tea on the table, leaving a ring of condensation on the wood.
Origin

From Middle English sweting, swetynge, equivalent to sweat + -ing (gerund ending).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

Last updated June 20, 2026