sweater

American  

[swet-er] / ˈswɛt ər /

noun

1. a knitted jacket or jersey, in pullover or cardigan style, with or without sleeves.

2. a person or thing that sweats.

3. an employer who underpays and overworks employees.

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adjective

1. of, for, or pertaining to a sweater.

   sweater yarn; sweater fashions.

2. made like a sweater.

   a sweater dress.

sweater British  

/ ˈswɛtə /

noun

1. 1. a garment made of knitted or crocheted material covering the upper part of the body, esp a heavy one worn for warmth

   2. ( as modifier )

      a sweater dress

2. a person or thing that sweats

3. an employer who overworks and underpays his employees

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Etymology

Origin of sweater

1520–30 sweater for def. 2; 1880–85 sweater for def. 1; sweat + -er ¹

Explanation

A sweater is a knitted piece of clothing that covers the top part of your body. Some people have ugly Christmas sweater contests—and if you wear your neon green reindeer sweater covered with pom-poms, you just might win! In Britain it's a jumper, but in most of North America, it's a sweater. You put on a sweater either by pulling it over your head (if it's a pullover), or by putting your arms in the sleeves and shrugging it onto your shoulders (if it's a cardigan). As you might have guessed, sweater comes from sweat—the earliest sweaters were worn by rowers, and were intended "to produce sweating and reduce weight."

Example Sentences

Old Navy’s is somewhat tasteful and tongue-in-cheek, offering a cable-knit cerulean sweater with a charming red high-heel logo, tote bags and tops with a few of the movie’s key phrases printed on them.

From Salon • Apr. 20, 2026

The must-have item in Silicon Valley is a $178 sweater with a CEO’s face.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026

He tried on the sweater but lost his nerve at the price tag of $178—roughly the same price as a share of Nvidia stock at the time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

“This interiority we have is so precious,” says Pollan, as he leans back against his cushy brown sofa in a navy blue sweater and worn loafers, a cup of green tea at his side.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

Mom had asked, pulling open the bottom right drawer, which held a pair of pants, a wool sweater, and two T-shirts.

From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold