Word
sweetener
Phoneticssweet·en·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈswitənɝ/
UK/swˈiːtənɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a substance that makes something more pleasant or enjoyable. In a casual way, it can also mean a small extra thing that makes a situation better.
n. a substance added to food or drink to enhance its flavor. In a figurative sense, it refers to an additional element that improves the quality or appeal of a situation.
Examples
“The chef added a natural sweetener to the cake.”
“The manager offered a small bonus as a sweetener to encourage the employees to stay during the busy season.”
“While the base salary was modest, the company provided a generous relocation package as a sweetener to attract top talent from overseas.”
Examples
simple
“The chef added a natural sweetener to the cake.”
contextual
“The manager offered a small bonus as a sweetener to encourage the employees to stay during the busy season.”
complex
“While the base salary was modest, the company provided a generous relocation package as a sweetener to attract top talent from overseas.”
Real-World Examples
“A common sweetener used in products such as chewing gum, toothpaste, jam, yoghurts and ice-cream has been linked to an increased risk of strokes, heart attacks and death.” “Some of those changes were also detected in later generations that had never consumed the sweeteners themselves.” Etymology
From sweeten + -er (“agent suffix”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- 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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