sweep meaning

UK /swiːp/ US /swip/ 1 syllable

sweep (verb): sweep across or over.

sweep has 15 meanings in this dictionary, as verb and noun.

sweep as a verb

  1. sweep across or over
    • Her long skirt brushed the floor
    • A gasp swept cross the audience

    Synonyms: brush

    Type of: move

  2. move with sweeping, effortless, gliding motions
    • The diva swept into the room
    • Shreds of paper sailed through the air
    • The searchlights swept across the sky

    Synonyms: sail

    Type of: move

    Kinds: swan

  3. sweep with a broom or as if with a broom
    • Sweep the crumbs off the table
    • Sweep under the bed

    Synonyms: broom

    Type of: wipe

    Related forms: sweeper, sweeping

  4. force into some kind of situation, condition, or course of action
    • They were swept up by the events
    • don't drag me into this business

    Synonyms: embroil, tangle, sweep up, drag, drag in

    Type of: involve

  5. to cover or extend over an area or time period
    • Rivers traverse the valley floor
    • The parking lot spans 3 acres
    • The novel spans three centuries

    Synonyms: cross, traverse, span

    Type of: cover

  6. clean by sweeping
    • Please sweep the floor

    Type of: clean

    Related forms: sweeper, sweeping

  7. win an overwhelming victory in or on
    • Her new show dog swept all championships

    Type of: win

  8. cover the entire range of

    Type of: cover

    Kinds: rake

  9. make a big sweeping gesture or movement

    Synonyms: swing, swing out

    Type of: wield

sweep as a noun

  1. a wide scope
    • the sweep of the plains

    Synonyms: expanse

    Type of: scope

  2. someone who cleans soot from chimneys

    Synonyms: chimneysweeper, chimneysweep

    Type of: cleaner

  3. winning all or all but one of the tricks in bridge

    Synonyms: slam

    Type of: victory

    Kinds: grand slam, little slam

  4. a long oar used in an open boat

    Synonyms: sweep oar

    Type of: oar

  5. (American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running around the end of the line

    Synonyms: end run

    Type of: run

  6. a movement in an arc
    • a sweep of his arm

    Type of: motion

How to pronounce sweep

sweep is pronounced /swiːp/ in British English and /swip/ in American English. It has 1 syllable.

Words that rhyme with sweep

Scrabble score: 10 (letter breakdown)

Word lists: words starting with SW · words ending in EP · 5-letter words

More about sweep on Wikipedia.