Word
sweeper
Phoneticssweep·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈswipɝ/
UK/swˈiːpɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who cleans floors or a machine that does this. In some areas, it is also a casual way to describe a person who is very good at a specific sport or activity.
n. a person who cleans floors or a mechanical device designed for this task. In specific regional dialects, it serves as a colloquial term for a highly skilled individual in a particular field.
Examples
“The sweeper cleaned the hall before the guests arrived.”
“The local football team is looking for a new sweeper to strengthen their defense.”
“While the primary role of the sweeper is to maintain cleanliness, in certain sports contexts, the term refers to a player who acts as a last line of defense against opposing attacks.”
Examples
simple
“The sweeper cleaned the hall before the guests arrived.”
contextual
“The local football team is looking for a new sweeper to strengthen their defense.”
complex
“While the primary role of the sweeper is to maintain cleanliness, in certain sports contexts, the term refers to a player who acts as a last line of defense against opposing attacks.”
Etymology
From Middle English swepere, swepare, equivalent to sweep + -er. Cognate with Middle Low German swēpære, swēper (“broom for sweeping up debris”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/sweeper