# sweets

/ˈswits/ (US) · /swˈiːts/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. candy

noun · CEFR A2 · British English

small pieces of sweet food made mostly with sugar.

For teachers: confectionery or candy; small food items consisting primarily of sugar and flavourings.

- The children spent their pocket money on a bag of colourful sweets at the corner shop.
- The traditional shop was famous for its glass jars filled with handmade boiled sweets, attracting tourists from across the county.

Usage: Usually plural when referring to the food items generally.

### 2. term of endearment

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a kind name you call someone you like or love.

For teachers: a term of endearment used to address a romantic partner, family member, or close friend.

- Don't worry about the mess, sweets, I will help you clean it up.
- He often addressed his grandchildren as 'sweets' when they arrived for their weekly Sunday visit.

Usage: Used as a vocative to address someone directly.

### 3. drugs

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang

a slang word for certain illegal drugs, especially pills.

For teachers: a slang term for illicit drugs, particularly amphetamines or other synthetic pills.

- The police found several bags of sweets hidden in the back of the stolen car.
- Undercover officers monitored the club for several weeks to identify the primary source of the sweets being distributed on the dance floor.

Usage: Used almost exclusively in criminal or drug-culture contexts.

## Examples

- I bought a bag of sweets to share with my friends.
- The children were allowed to pick out a few sweets from the glass jar after they finished their dinner.
- While the nutritionist advised against excessive sugar intake, she admitted that having a few sweets occasionally could be part of a balanced lifestyle for active individuals.

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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.