sweep


Definition: Meaning of, sweep in English to English dictionary.

Pronunciation: / swiːp /

  • verb
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Word Forms:
Prsesent Past Past Participle
sweep swept swept
Present Participle Third Person Singular
sweeping sweeps
  1. clean something [transitive] to clean the dust, dirt etc from the floor or ground, using a brush with a long handle [=  brush]
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  2. push something somewhere [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to move things from a surface with a brushing movement
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  3. push somebody/something with force [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to force someone or something to move in a particular direction
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  4. group moves [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a group of people or animals sweep somewhere, they quickly move there together
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  5. wind/waves etc [intransitive,transitive always + adverb/preposition] if winds, waves, fire etc sweep a place or sweep through, across etc a place, they move quickly and with a lot of force
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  6. become popular [intransitive,transitive always + adverb/preposition] written if an idea, feeling, or activity sweeps a group of people or a place, it quickly becomes very popular or common
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  7. feeling [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a feeling sweeps over you, you are suddenly affected by it
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  8. person [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if someone sweeps somewhere, they move quickly and confidently, especially because they are impatient or like to seem important
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  9. politics [intransitive and transitive] to win an election easily and in an impressive way
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  10. sports [transitive] American English to win all of the games in a series of games against a particular team
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  11. sweep the board British English to win everything that can be won, especially very easily
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  12. form a curve [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to form a long curved shape
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  13. look [intransitive,transitive always + adverb/preposition] to look quickly at all of something
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  14. sweep somebody off their feet to make someone feel suddenly and strongly attracted to you in a romantic way
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  15. sweep/brush something under the carpet American English to try to keep something a secret, especially something you have done wrong
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  16. hair [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to pull your hair back from your face
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synonym
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  • noun
  • synonym
  • antonym
Word Forms:
Singular Plural
sweep sweeps
[countable]
  1. a long swinging movement of your arm, a weapon etc
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  2. [usually singular] British English the act of cleaning a room with a long-handled brush
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  3. the sweep of something a long curved line or area of land
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  4. the sweep of something the many different and important ideas, events, or qualities of something
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  5. [usually singular] a search or attack that moves over a large area
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  6. the sweeps also sweeps month/period American English a period of time during the year when television stations try to find out which shows are the most popular
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  7. American English a series of several games that one team wins against another team
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  8. a CHIMNEY SWEEP
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sweep used in phrases

  • chimney sweep (noun)
    1. someone whose job is to clean chimneys using special long brushes
  • sweep hand (noun)
    1. a second hand that is mounted on the same centre as the hour and minute hand and is read on the minutes
  • sweep oar (noun)
    1. a long oar used in an open boat
  • sweep off (verb)
    1. overwhelm emotionally
  • sweep through (verb)
    1. easily do well at; pass perfectly
  • sweep under the rug (verb)
    1. to conceal something in the hopes it won't be discovered by others
  • sweep-second (noun)
    1. a second hand that is mounted on the same centre as the hour and minute hand and is read on the minutes
  • More

sweep used in phrasal verbs

  • sweep along (phrasal verb)
    1. sweep someone along if something sweeps you along, you become very involved in it because you are so excited about it
  • sweep aside (phrasal verb)
    1. to ignore someone or something, or to refuse to consider them
  • sweep away (phrasal verb)
    1. to destroy or to completely remove something
    2. to become completely involved in a story, situation, your emotions etc
  • sweep back (phrasal verb)
    1. to put your hair into a style that keeps it away from your face
  • sweep over (phrasal verb)
    1. sweep over someone to suddenly affect someone very strongly
  • sweep up (phrasal verb)
    1. to clean and remove dirt, glass, dust etc from a floor or the ground using a brush or broom
  • More