sweeten

American  

[sweet-n] / ˈswit n /

verb (used with object)

1. to make sweet, as by adding sugar.

2. to make mild or kind; soften.

3. to lessen the acridity or pungency of (a food) by prolonged cooking.

4. to reduce the saltiness of (a food or dish) by diluting with water, milk, or other liquid.

5. to make (the breath, room air, etc.) sweet or fresh, as with a mouthwash, spray, etc.

6. (in musical recording) to add musical instruments to (an arrangement), especially strings for a lusher sound.

7. Chemistry.

   1. to make (the stomach, soil, etc.) less acidic, as by means of certain preparations, chemicals, etc.

   2. to remove sulfur and its compounds from (oil or gas).

8. Informal.

   1. to enhance the value of (loan collateral) by including additional or especially valuable securities.

   2. to add to the value or attractiveness of (any proposition, holding, etc.).

9. to add more liquor to (an alcoholic drink).

10. Poker. to add stakes to (a pot) before opening.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become sweet or sweeter.

sweeten British  

/ ˈswiːtən /

verb

1. (also intr) to make or become sweet or sweeter

2. to mollify or soften (a person)

3. to make more agreeable

4. (also intr) chem to free or be freed from unpleasant odours, acidic or corrosive substances, or the like

5. finance to raise the value of (loan collateral) by adding more securities

6. informal poker to enlarge (the pot) by adding chips

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Other Word Forms

• nonsweetened
  adjective
• outsweeten
  verb (used with object)
• oversweeten
  verb (used with object)
• presweeten
  verb (used with object)
• resweeten
  verb
• unsweetened
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of sweeten

First recorded in 1545–55; sweet + -en ¹

Explanation

When you sweeten something, you make it taste sweeter. To sweeten your lemonade, just add more sugar. To literally sweeten something, like your muffin recipe or a cup of tea, all you need to do is add something that tastes sweet, like honey, molasses, sugar, or even apple juice. When you figuratively sweeten something, you make it more appealing or acceptable. The phrase "sweeten the pot" or "sweeten the deal" comes from poker, in which it means to add more bets (or money) to the game.

Example Sentences

Appeared in the November 6, 2025, print edition as 'Pfizer to Sweeten Bid for Metsera'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 5, 2025

Sweeten warm tea with 1 cup of sugar.

From Salon • Aug. 1, 2024

And that’ll cost us a fortune,’” Sweeten said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2024

Sweeten to taste with granulated sugar, stirring well to dissolve; you’ll have about ½ cup of smooth purée.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 20, 2021

Sweeten it with sugar, and sprinkle on it beaten spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

From The Lady's Own Cookery Book, and New Dinner-Table Directory; In Which will Be Found a Large Collection of Original Receipts. 3rd ed. by Bury, Charlotte Campbell, Lady

Related Words

• mull