# sweating

/ˈswɛtɪŋ/ (US) · /swˈɛtɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sweating
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. perspiration

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- Heavy sweating during a workout is a sign that your body is cooling itself down.
- Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying medical condition rather than just a response to heat.

### 2. cooking technique

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The recipe starts with the sweating of onions and celery for ten minutes.
- Proper sweating of the aromatics ensures that the base of the soup is sweet and translucent rather than bitter and charred.

### 4. covered in moisture

adjective · CEFR B2

covered in sweat or small drops of water.

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

- She wiped her sweating forehead with a towel after the dance class.
- The waiter placed a sweating glass of iced tea on the table, leaving a ring of condensation on the wood.

## Examples

- Heavy sweating is common during a long run.
- The recipe calls for the slow sweating of onions and celery until they become translucent and sweet.
- While sweating is a vital physiological response to heat, excessive perspiration in a professional setting can be a source of significant social anxiety for some people.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.