sweats
B1Mostly informal, except in medical/physiological contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A condition or instance of sweating profusely, often due to exertion, illness, or anxiety. Also, plural of 'sweat' referring to moisture exuded through skin pores.
Informal term for sweatpants or other casual athletic clothing. In financial contexts, can refer to a 'cold sweat' of panic. Can metaphorically describe intense anxiety or hard work ('the sweats' of labor).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a plural noun ('the sweats'), it often implies a recurring or intense episode. The clothing sense is primarily North American informal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English more commonly uses 'tracksuit bottoms' or 'jogging bottoms' for the clothing item. 'Sweats' as clothing is distinctly American informal.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'the sweats' connotes illness or anxiety. The clothing sense in the US is neutral-casual; in the UK, using 'sweats' for clothing may sound Americanised.
Frequency
The physiological/anxiety sense is equally frequent. The clothing sense is high-frequency in US informal speech, low-frequency in UK English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
suffer from + the sweatsbreak out in + sweatsbe soaked in + sweatswear + sweatsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “no sweat”
- “sweat it out”
- “sweat of one's brow”
- “cold sweat”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in informal contexts: 'Don't get in a sweat over the deadline.'
Academic
Used in medical/physiology texts: 'Patients reported nocturnal sweats.'
Everyday
High frequency: 'I woke up in a cold sweat.' / 'I'm just wearing sweats today.' (US)
Technical
Medical: 'Night sweats are a common symptom.' Sports science: 'Fluid loss through sweats was measured.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He sweats profusely during his workouts.
American English
- She sweats the details on every project.
adjective
British English
- The sweat-drenched shirt needed washing.
- A sweat-inducing climb.
American English
- He changed into sweat clothes after the game.
- A sweat-stained hat.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I wear my sweats when I relax at home.
- He got sweats from the fever.
- After the nightmare, she woke up in a cold sweat.
- He always wears sweats to the gym.
- The sudden sweats were a side effect of the medication.
- She lounged around the house in an old pair of sweats.
- The investor broke out in a cold sweat as the market plummeted.
- The diagnostic workup included investigating her debilitating night sweats.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SWEATS = SUDDEN WETNESS Emanating At Tense Situations.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANXIETY/ILLNESS IS A HEAT WAVE (breaking out in sweats); CASUAL COMFORT IS LOOSE CLOTHING (living in sweats).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'sweats' (clothing) as 'пот' (sweat). Use 'спортивные штаны' or 'толстовка с штанами'.
- 'The sweats' is a condition, not an object. Not 'поты', but 'испарина', 'потливость'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'sweats' as a singular noun (*'a sweats').
- Using 'sweats' for a single garment (*'a sweat').
- Confusing 'sweats' (clothing) with 'sweaters' (jumpers).
Practice
Quiz
In American informal English, what does 'sweats' most commonly refer to, besides perspiration?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a plural noun. You cannot have 'a sweats'. For a single episode, you say 'a sweat' or more commonly 'a cold sweat'.
It is understood but sounds American. In the UK, 'tracksuit bottoms', 'joggers', or 'jogging bottoms' are more common.
'Sweat' is uncountable for moisture ('dripping with sweat'). 'Sweats' is plural, referring to episodes or attacks of sweating ('the night sweats'), or is a short form for sweatpants/sweatshirts.
No, it is informal for clothing and for describing anxiety/illness episodes. In formal medical writing, terms like 'diaphoresis' or 'nocturnal perspiration' are used.