verb (used with object)
- to make sweet, as by adding sugar.
- to make mild or kind; soften.
- to lessen the acridity or pungency of (a food) by prolonged cooking.
- to reduce the saltiness of (a food or dish) by diluting with water, milk, or other liquid.
- to make (the breath, room air, etc.) sweet or fresh, as with a mouthwash, spray, etc.
- (in musical recording) to add musical instruments to (an arrangement), especially strings for a lusher sound.
- Chemistry.
- to make (the stomach, soil, etc.) less acidic, as by means of certain preparations, chemicals, etc.
- to remove sulfur and its compounds from (oil or gas).
- Informal.
- to enhance the value of (loan collateral) by including additional or especially valuable securities.
- to add to the value or attractiveness of (any proposition, holding, etc.).
- to add more liquor to (an alcoholic drink).
- Poker. to add stakes to (a pot) before opening.
verb (used without object)
- to become sweet or sweeter.
adjective
- not having any added sugar or other sweeteners
verb (mainly tr)
- (also intr) to make or become sweet or sweeter
- to mollify or soften (a person)
- to make more agreeable
- (also intr) chem to free or be freed from unpleasant odours, acidic or corrosive substances, or the like
- finance, mainly US to raise the value of (loan collateral) by adding more securities
- informal poker to enlarge (the pot) by adding chips
v.1550s, from sweet (adj.) + verbal ending -en (1). The Middle English form of the verb was simply sweet, from Old English swetan. Related: Sweetened; sweetening.