sweetening

[ sweet-n-ing, sweet-ning ]

/ ˈswit n ɪŋ, ˈswit nɪŋ /

noun

something that sweetens food, beverages, etc., as sugar, saccharine, etc.

the process of causing something to be or become sweet.

Origin of sweetening

First recorded in 1585–95; sweeten + -ing¹

Words nearby sweetening

sweetbread, sweetbrier, sweeten, sweeten the kitty, sweetener, sweetening, sweetheart, sweetheart agreement, sweetheart contract, sweetheart neckline, sweetie

Definition for sweetening (2 of 2)

sweeten

[ sweet-n ]

/ ˈswit n /

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.

Origin of sweeten

First recorded in 1545–55; sweet + -en¹

OTHER WORDS FROM sweeten

non·sweet·ened, adjective out·sweet·en, verb (used with object) o·ver·sweet·en, verb (used with object) pre·sweet·en, verb (used with object)

re·sweet·en, verb un·sweet·ened, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for sweetening

“Sweetening the pot,” “upping the ante,” “showing your cards,” “folding your hand”—all those clichés stem from poker for a reason.

Obama's Poker Club Tells All |Randall Lane |December 8, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
Freshly grated pear barely needs any sweetening, which is why we encourage you to make the pear puree yourself.

How Top Chefs Stay Thin |Rachel Syme |December 15, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
Sweetening the deal was the prize Best secured for the winner: lunch with Jerry Yang, founder of Yahoo!

The Blogosphere Charity Bake-off |Will Doig |November 2, 2008 |DAILY BEAST
In sweetening the cream, allow a teacup of sugar to each quart.

Housekeeping in Old Virginia |Marion Cabell Tyree

Cook rice until soft in milk to cover, sweetening and flavoring to taste.

The Myrtle Reed Cook Book |Myrtle Reed
Cane-sugar is more soluble than the latter, and has twice the sweetening power.

A Treatise on Physiology and Hygiene |Joseph Chrisman Hutchison
This is used quite extensively as a sweetening agent in canned sweet corn, and other similar products.

Detection of the Common Food Adulterants |Edwin M. Bruce
At frequent intervals beds, chests, and bags were opened out and exposed to the sweetening influences of fresh air and sunshine.

Terre Napoleon |Ernest Scott

British Dictionary definitions for sweetening (1 of 2)

sweetening

/ (ˈswiːtənɪŋ) /

noun

something that sweetens

British Dictionary definitions for sweetening (2 of 2)

sweeten

/ (ˈswiːtən) /

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

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

sweetening

noun

Origin of sweetening

Words nearby sweetening

Definition for sweetening (2 of 2)

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of sweeten

OTHER WORDS FROM sweeten

Example sentences from the Web for sweetening

British Dictionary definitions for sweetening (1 of 2)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for sweetening (2 of 2)

verb (mainly tr)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

sweetening

noun

Origin of sweetening

Words nearby sweetening

Definition for sweetening (2 of 2)

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of sweeten

OTHER WORDS FROM sweeten

Words related to sweetening

Example sentences from the Web for sweetening

British Dictionary definitions for sweetening (1 of 2)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for sweetening (2 of 2)

verb (mainly tr)