sweet tooth
B1Informal
Definition
Meaning
A strong liking or craving for sweet foods.
An enduring, often irresistible, fondness for sugary foods and desserts. It can also figuratively describe a strong preference for anything pleasant, indulgent, or sentimental.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
It is a fixed noun phrase, always singular ('a sweet tooth', not 'sweet teeth'). The concept is personified, suggesting the 'tooth' itself has the craving.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The phrase is identical in form and core meaning. Collocational preferences for specific desserts may vary (e.g., 'biscuit' vs. 'cookie').
Connotations
Same connotations of indulgence and lack of restraint. Often used in a light-hearted, self-deprecating manner.
Frequency
Equally common and idiomatic in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + have/has/had + a sweet tooth.My/Your/His/Her + sweet tooth + [verb phrase].For + [person/group] + with + a sweet tooth.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Have a sweet tooth”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Marketing for confectionery: 'This new range is designed for customers with a sweet tooth.'
Academic
Rare. Might appear in nutritional or psychological studies on eating habits.
Everyday
Common in casual conversation about food preferences: 'I can't resist cake; I've got such a sweet tooth.'
Technical
Not used in technical language.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- No standard verb form derived from 'sweet tooth'. One might say 'to have a sweet tooth'.
- Informally: 'I'm sweet-toothing today,' but this is non-standard.
American English
- No standard verb form derived from 'sweet tooth'. One might say 'to have a sweet tooth'.
- Informally: 'I'm sweet-toothing today,' but this is non-standard.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form.
American English
- No standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- A sweet-toothed individual
- A sweet-toothed child (hyphenated compound adjective).
American English
- A sweet-toothed customer
- A sweet-toothed nation (hyphenated compound adjective).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a sweet tooth. I love chocolate.
- My brother has a sweet tooth too.
- She has a real sweet tooth, so I bought her some fancy biscuits.
- If you have a sweet tooth, you'll love this dessert menu.
- Despite trying to eat healthily, his lifelong sweet tooth is hard to ignore.
- The bakery caters specifically to those with a pronounced sweet tooth.
- The film's sentimental ending was clearly aimed at audiences with a cinematic sweet tooth.
- Her philanthropic work was motivated not by a sweet tooth for praise, but by genuine compassion.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cartoon tooth with a big smile, wearing a crown and holding a lollipop. The crown reminds you it's the ruler (the main craving), and the lollipop is the sweet food it loves.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESIRE IS HUNGER / CRAVING IS A BODY PART. The abstract craving is metaphorically located in a specific tooth, as if the tooth itself demands to be fed sweets.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'сладкий зуб'. The correct equivalent is 'любовь к сладкому' or the idiom 'быть сладкоежкой'.
Common Mistakes
- Using plural: *'I have sweet teeth.' (Incorrect) / 'I have a sweet tooth.' (Correct).
- Omitting the article: *'He has sweet tooth.' (Incorrect) / 'He has a sweet tooth.' (Correct).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'sweet tooth' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an informal, idiomatic expression best used in casual conversation, advertising, or informal writing.
No, the phrase is always singular: 'a sweet tooth'. Using the plural is a common error.
No, there is no standard verb derived from the phrase. You use constructions like 'to have a sweet tooth' or 'to indulge one's sweet tooth'.
Use a descriptive phrase such as 'a predilection for sweet foods', 'a fondness for desserts', or 'a preference for sugary snacks'.