# sweaty

/ˈswɛti/ (US) · /swˈɛti/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. covered in sweat

adjective · CEFR B1

covered or wet with sweat from heat or exercise.

For teachers: covered, moistened, or stained with perspiration.

- He felt hot and sweaty after running for the bus in the midday sun.
- After ninety minutes of intense physical exertion on the pitch, the players emerged from the tunnel looking exhausted and sweaty.

### 2. causing sweat

adjective · CEFR B2

describing a place or activity that makes you sweat.

For teachers: conducive to or causing perspiration, often due to high humidity or physical intensity.

- It was a sweaty afternoon in the crowded gym with no air conditioning.
- The tropical climate made for a sweaty commute, as the moisture in the air prevented any natural cooling.

### 3. trying too hard to win

adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

used to describe a player who is too serious or obsessed with winning a game.

For teachers: describing a player or a match characterised by excessive effort and a hyper-competitive attitude, often at the expense of fun.

- I stopped playing that game because the lobbies became too sweaty.
- The community complained that the matchmaking system was placing casual players into sweaty lobbies filled with professionals.

Usage: Often used as a pejorative in online gaming communities.

Teaching tip: This is a modern slang term; learners should use it only in informal contexts like gaming or sports.

### 4. sportswear

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

comfortable clothes used for exercise, like a sweatshirt or sweatpants.

For teachers: informal clothing designed for exercise or lounging, typically made of heavy cotton jersey.

- She changed into her sweaties as soon as she got home from work.
- The trend of wearing sweaties in public has become increasingly acceptable in many urban professional environments.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form 'sweaties'.

## Examples

- My shirt is sweaty after that long walk.
- The gym was full of sweaty people working out on the machines during the lunch hour.
- He emerged from the interview with sweaty palms and a racing heart, relieved that the intense questioning had finally come to an end.

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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.