What does sweating mean?
Sweating is the present participle and gerund of sweat and most often describes the production of perspiration in response to heat, exertion, emotion, or illness. It also carries figurative meanings, especially when someone is nervous, anxious, or working hard under pressure. In literal use, sweating is usually involuntary and may help cool the body as moisture evaporates from the skin. Figuratively, the expression “sweating over something” suggests worried or overly diligent handling of a problem, while “sweating bullets” conveys extreme fear or discomfort. The verb is neutral in ordinary description but can sound informal or hyperbolic in idioms. Sweating can also refer to moisture forming on a cool surface. Although the form is an inflection, its compact present-participle usage makes it especially common in descriptions of physical strain, anxious waiting, and intense concentration.
verbTo produce or exude perspiration, especially because of heat, physical exertion, emotion, or illness. Figuratively, it can mean to feel nervous or anxious, or to work hard and intensely over something.
- To produce or exude sweat because of heat, exertion, emotion, or illness.
- To feel nervous, anxious, or tense under pressure.
- To work hard and with intense concentration on a difficult task or problem.
- To develop condensation or beads of moisture on a surface.
"She was sweating slightly as she waited for the interview to begin."
"The runners were sweating heavily despite the cool morning air."
"I had been sweating over the proposal all afternoon, so I welcomed a second opinion."
As sweat evaporates, it carries heat away from the skin, turning the body’s perspiration into a natural cooling system.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sweating come from?
The form sweating is the present-participle and gerund of sweat. English sweat descends from Old English swēot, a native Germanic word, with the modern form developed through ordinary English sound changes. The productive English -ing ending forms sweating, while derivatives such as sweater, sweatband, sweatshirt, and sweaty preserve the same inherited base.
Related word forms
How sweating is actually used
The literal use is neutral and common in both British and American English. Figurative uses, such as sweating over a decision or sweating bullets, are informal and often convey anxiety, discomfort, or intense effort.