sweeten

[ sweet-n ]

/ ˈswit n /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR sweeten ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to make sweet, as by adding sugar.

to make mild or kind; soften.

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

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

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

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

Chemistry.

to make (the stomach, soil, etc.) less acidic, as by means of certain preparations, chemicals, etc.
to remove sulfur and its compounds from (oil or gas).

Informal.

to enhance the value of (loan collateral) by including additional or especially valuable securities.
to add to the value or attractiveness of (any proposition, holding, etc.).

to add more liquor to (an alcoholic drink).

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

verb (used without object)

to become sweet or sweeter.

Words nearby sweeten

sweet-shop, sweet-talk, sweet-tempered, sweetbread, sweetbrier, sweeten, sweeten the kitty, sweetener, sweetening, sweetheart, sweetheart agreement

Origin of sweeten

First recorded in 1545–55; sweet + -en¹

OTHER WORDS FROM sweeten

non·sweet·ened, adjectiveout·sweet·en, verb (used with object)o·ver·sweet·en, verb (used with object)pre·sweet·en, verb (used with object)

re·sweet·en, verbun·sweet·ened, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for unsweetened

And its unsweetened varieties can be very hydrating (assuming you like its unique taste).
10 Ways to Stay Hydrated (That Aren’t Water)|DailyBurn|July 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Orange juice may be given at six months; while, after four months, unsweetened prune juice is better than medicine for the bowels.
The Mother and Her Child|William S. Sadler
From the unsweetened condensed milk, biscuits were made that would please the palate of any epicure.
My Attainment of the Pole|Frederick A. Cook
This unsweetened cocoanut can be used for shortening and in many places where sweet is not desirable.
The Laurel Health Cookery|Evora Bucknum Perkins

Boil to the soft ball stage, then add two ounces of unsweetened chocolate shaved fine.
Candy-Making at Home|Mary M. Wright
One-quarter cup grated, unsweetened chocolate, cup milk, half a cup sugar.
Mary at the Farm and Book of Recipes Compiled during Her Visit among the "Pennsylvania Germans"|Edith M. Thomas

British Dictionary definitions for unsweetened (1 of 2)

unsweetened

/ (ʌnˈswiːtənd) /

adjective

not having any added sugar or other sweeteners

British Dictionary definitions for unsweetened (2 of 2)

sweeten

/ (ˈswiːtən) /

verb (mainly tr)

(also intr) to make or become sweet or sweeter

to mollify or soften (a person)

to make more agreeable

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

finance, mainly US to raise the value of (loan collateral) by adding more securities

informal poker to enlarge (the pot) by adding chips

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sweeten

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Words related to sweeten

Words nearby sweeten

Origin of sweeten

OTHER WORDS FROM sweeten

Examples from the Web for unsweetened

British Dictionary definitions for unsweetened (1 of 2)

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for unsweetened (2 of 2)

verb (mainly tr)