What does sweaty mean?
Sweaty is an adjective describing a person, body part, or object that is covered in or producing sweat. It commonly describes the physical effects of heat, exertion, anxiety, or illness: a runner may become sweaty during a race, while someone nervous might have sweaty palms. The word can also describe a difficult or strenuous experience, especially in informal expressions such as 'a sweaty climb' or 'a sweaty negotiation.' In these figurative uses, it emphasizes effort, discomfort, and pressure rather than literal perspiration. Sweaty is related to the noun sweat and is understood throughout British and American English. Although the term is often used when describing bodily moisture, it is more specific than simply damp, since it identifies sweat as the source of the moisture. It is especially useful for conveying the visible or tangible signs of exertion and stress.
adjectiveCovered in or producing sweat. By extension, it can describe an activity or situation that is so difficult or strenuous that it makes someone sweat.
- Covered in or producing sweat.
- So difficult or strenuous that it causes someone to sweat.
"After the long climb, they sat on the warm stone with sweaty hands and heavy breathing."
"By the time we reached the summit, our hands were sweaty and our legs were trembling."
"The final climb was a sweaty, exhausting trek."
A sweaty handshake can reveal more about a stressful meeting than the meeting itself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sweaty come from?
The adjective sweaty developed in Middle English from the noun sweat and the suffix -y, meaning 'having the quality of' or 'covered with.' The underlying noun comes from Old English swēota and swāt, which are related to Germanic forms such as German Schweiß and Dutch zweet. The English word and its cognates belong to a Germanic family of words associated with perspiration and moisture.
Related word forms
How sweaty is actually used
The word is common in everyday speech and informal writing. Its figurative use, as in 'a sweaty climb,' suggests that something is demanding, uncomfortable, or intense.