English

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Pronunciation

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Etymology 1

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From Middle English swety, equivalent to sweat +‎ -y.

Adjective

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sweaty (comparative sweatier, superlative sweatiest)

  1. Covered in sweat.
    Synonyms: (dated) asweat, sweating, sudoriferous, sudorific
    John felt better after changing out of his sweaty clothes.
  2. Having a tendency to sweat.
    She had never met someone so sweaty.
  3. Likely to cause one to sweat.
    It was a hot and sweaty day.
  4. Caused by sweat.
    That sweaty odour is disgusting.
  5. Strenuous; laborious; exhausting.
    He resented being asked to do such a sweaty task.
  6. (video games, slang) Extremely (and possibly inappropriately) obsessed with winning.
    Synonym: tryhard
    Watch out for that sweaty team.
    • 2022 August 3, Terry Oh, “YouTuber turns toilet into gaming PC for when duty calls”, in Dexerto[1]:
      The YouTuber delved deeper into his goals, claiming: "I want to do sweaty, try hard FPS gaming from the toilet."
  7. (video games, slang) Attracting many extremely competitive players.
    I stick to casual because ranked lobbies are way too sweaty.
    • 2022 August 17, Ryan Lemay, Dexerto[2]:
      The mode caters to competitive players by offering increased health and larger lobby sizes. However, some players argue the game mode is extremely "sweaty."
Translations
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Noun

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sweaty (plural sweaties)

  1. One who is sweaty.
    • 1975, Australian Parks & Recreation, page 20:
      For example a conscious attemp at separating the "hots and sweaties" from the “bibs and tuckers” is often desirable amount according to which activity areas he/she has used.
    • 1997, New York - Volume 30, page 46:
      Crowd ranges from post-gym sweaties to locals.
    • 2018 July 20, John Latchem, “Filmmaker and Comic-Con Mainstay Jon Schnepp Dies”, in Media Play News:
      An ardent proponent of geek culture, Schnepp would often refer to himself and his fellow enthusiasts of genre entertainment as “Sweaties,” a reminder of his creed that it was OK to sweat over something you love (and also perhaps a reference to the perspiration such fans would often endure as a result of waiting in long lines during the hot days of Comic-Con to see their favorite actors and creators in panels and autograph sessions). This earned him the moniker “King of the Sweaties.”
    • 2020 December 16, Madeleine Aggeler, “Why Was Everyone So Sweaty”, in The Cut:
      As someone who immediately starts sweating profusely the second the temperature creeps over 75 degrees (sexy?), I felt enormous sympathy for these absolutely drenched men. Justice for us sweaties!
  2. (plural only, informal) Informal sportswear, such as a sweatshirt, pair of sweatpants or a sweatsuit.
    • 1962, Lois Winslow-Spragge, George Mercer Dawson, The Life of George Mercer Dawson, 1849-1901, page 26:
      After lessons I went down town with O'Hara and William, we bought a bow and arrows and some sweaties, when we came home we practised with our bow and arrows and played marbles.
    • 1985, New Age Journal - Volume 2, Issues 2-5:
      Designer Hanna Andersson specializes in comfortable, round-the-clock children's clothes: snugglies and “sweaties" (indefatigable sportswear) made of cotton trikā, a combed-cotton rib-knit in bright colors and bold stripes.
    • 1989, Gilbert Sorrentino, Misterioso, page 11:
      As the rictal woman leaves the A & P for the oppressive heat of the streets, she is knocked sprawling by Grace Armstrong, a ridiculous figure in “sweat” clothing , or “sweaties,” who is just finishing her daily jogging stint.
    • 2020 December 22, Alison Ives, “The Coziest, Comfiest Loungewear We're Living In This Winter”, in Brit & Co:
      Grey sweaties are our go-to and the rhinestones add a little something extra for the days when you actually make it out of the house.

Etymology 2

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Influenced by the similarity of the spelling of sweety, and the humorous juxtaposition between their meanings.

Noun

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sweaty (plural sweaties)

  1. (Internet slang, derogatory, sometimes humorous) Deliberate misspelling of sweety: a term of familiar address.
    (The addition of quotations indicative of this usage is being sought:)

Anagrams

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