sweeper
B2Neutral to technical (in sports contexts)
Definition
Meaning
A person or machine that cleans floors, streets, or other surfaces by sweeping.
1. In sports, a defensive player positioned behind the main defensive line. 2. A tool or machine for sweeping. 3. In certain contexts, a person or device that performs a clearing or 'cleanup' function.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primary meaning is literal (one who sweeps). Metaphorical extension to sports and military/police contexts (e.g., 'mine sweeper') is common. May imply thoroughness or a finalizing action.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. Both use all senses, though certain compounds may vary (e.g., 'carpet sweeper' is a dated term for a non-electric floor cleaner).
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. The literal job is often associated with manual labour.
Frequency
Slightly more common in BrE for domestic roles ('chimney sweeper', 'street sweeper'). The sports sense is equally used.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
sweeper of [noun phrase] (e.g., sweeper of leaves)[adjective] sweeper (e.g., defensive sweeper)sweeper [verb] (e.g., the sweeper cleaned)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Clean as a whistle (result, not the agent)”
- “Make a clean sweep (related action)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in cleaning services or industrial equipment sales.
Academic
Rare; technical in sports science or military history.
Everyday
Common for cleaning tools/jobs and sports commentary.
Technical
Specific in football/soccer tactics and military engineering (mine sweeper).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A (sweeper is not a standard verb)
American English
- N/A (sweeper is not a standard verb)
adverb
British English
- N/A (sweeper is not an adverb)
American English
- N/A (sweeper is not an adverb)
adjective
British English
- N/A (sweeper is not a standard adjective)
American English
- N/A (sweeper is not a standard adjective)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The street sweeper cleans the road every morning.
- I use a carpet sweeper for small messes.
- He works as a sweeper in the local park.
- The new industrial sweeper is much faster.
- The team's sweeper prevented a certain goal with a last-ditch tackle.
- Naval minesweepers are essential for safe sea travel.
- Deployed as a sweeper behind the central defenders, his reading of the game was impeccable.
- The financial audit acted as a sweeper, uncovering irregularities that had been missed.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SWEEP + ER (like 'teach' + 'er'). A SWEEPER is someone or something that performs a sweeping action.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLEANING IS PURIFYING / A FINAL DEFENDER IS A SWEEPER (clearing danger).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'подметальщик' for sports sense; use 'либеро' or 'чистильщик' contextually.
- Do not confuse with 'пылесос' (vacuum cleaner). A sweeper is often mechanical but not necessarily suction-based.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'sweeper' to mean vacuum cleaner in formal contexts.
- Confusing 'sweeper' (position) with 'goalkeeper' in football.
- Incorrect plural: 'sweepers' not 'sweeper'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a common meaning of 'sweeper'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not in standard modern English. 'Carpet sweeper' refers to a non-electric, manual device. Modern electric appliances are 'vacuum cleaners' or 'hoovers' (UK).
A 'cleaner' is a general term for a person or product that cleans. A 'sweeper' specifically implies the action of sweeping (using a brush or broom-like motion), though it can be metaphorical (e.g., clearing mines).
No. The verb is 'to sweep'. 'Sweeper' is only a noun.
Very common in sports media and among fans. The position is standard in many defensive formations, though its usage has evolved tactically.
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