Sweating: meaning, definitions and examples

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sweating

[ˈswɛtɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

during exercise

The process of perspiring, especially heavily.

Synonyms

humidity, perspiration.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sweating	Repeating of the 1st entry - sweating is the process of moisture being excreted through the skin as a natural bodily function. Sweating helps cool down the body.
perspiration	A more formal or technical term for the bodily process of sweating, often used in medical or scientific writing. Perspiration is the body's natural way to regulate temperature. The doctor noted excessive perspiration as a symptom.
humidity	When referring to the amount of moisture in the air, often in weather forecasts, scientific contexts, or discussions about climate conditions. The humidity today is very high, making it feel much hotter. Plants thrive well in areas with consistent humidity.

Word

Description / Examples

sweating

Repeating of the 1st entry - sweating is the process of moisture being excreted through the skin as a natural bodily function.

Sweating helps cool down the body.

perspiration

A more formal or technical term for the bodily process of sweating, often used in medical or scientific writing.

Perspiration is the body's natural way to regulate temperature.
The doctor noted excessive perspiration as a symptom.

humidity

When referring to the amount of moisture in the air, often in weather forecasts, scientific contexts, or discussions about climate conditions.

The humidity today is very high, making it feel much hotter.
Plants thrive well in areas with consistent humidity.

Examples of usage

I was drenched in sweat after my workout.
He wiped the sweat from his brow.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

nervousness

The state or condition of sweating due to nervousness or anxiety.

Synonyms

anxiety, tension.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sweating	Used when referring to the physical reaction of the body to heat, exercise, or stress. After jogging for an hour, she was sweating a lot The intense summer heat had everyone sweating
anxiety	Used to describe a feeling of worry or fear, often about future events or situations. Before the exam, he was filled with anxiety Her anxiety about the job interview kept her up all night
tension	Used to describe a feeling of stress or strain, often between people or within a situation. There was a lot of tension in the room before the big meeting The argument created tension between the two friends

Word

Description / Examples

sweating

Used when referring to the physical reaction of the body to heat, exercise, or stress.

After jogging for an hour, she was sweating a lot
The intense summer heat had everyone sweating

anxiety

Used to describe a feeling of worry or fear, often about future events or situations.

Before the exam, he was filled with anxiety
Her anxiety about the job interview kept her up all night

tension

Used to describe a feeling of stress or strain, often between people or within a situation.

There was a lot of tension in the room before the big meeting
The argument created tension between the two friends

Examples of usage

The job interview made her break out in a sweat.
He was sweating bullets before the big presentation.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

physical activity

To excrete perspiration through the pores in the skin, typically as a result of heat, physical exertion, or nervousness.

Synonyms

bead, perspire.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sweating	Same as the first entry; this term is also the most commonly used and understood by general audiences. Sweating is the body's way of cooling down. She was drenched in sweat after the workout.
perspire	A more formal term often used in medical, scientific, or polite contexts to describe the body's process of sweating. It's normal to perspire during intense physical activity. He wasn't feeling well and began to perspire heavily.
bead	Often used metaphorically to describe small droplets of liquid, usually sweat, forming on the skin. It can describe a more precise observation and is less commonly used in day-to-day conversation. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead under the hot sun. She could see beads of perspiration on his upper lip.

Word

Description / Examples

sweating

Same as the first entry; this term is also the most commonly used and understood by general audiences.

Sweating is the body's way of cooling down.
She was drenched in sweat after the workout.

perspire

A more formal term often used in medical, scientific, or polite contexts to describe the body's process of sweating.

It's normal to perspire during intense physical activity.
He wasn't feeling well and began to perspire heavily.

bead

Often used metaphorically to describe small droplets of liquid, usually sweat, forming on the skin. It can describe a more precise observation and is less commonly used in day-to-day conversation.

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead under the hot sun.
She could see beads of perspiration on his upper lip.

Examples of usage

I started sweating as soon as I entered the sauna.
She was sweating profusely during the marathon.

Interesting Facts

Biology

It's a natural process that helps regulate body temperature by releasing sweat, which cools the skin when it evaporates.
Humans have about 2 to 4 million sweat glands, with the highest concentration found on the palms and soles of the feet.
Sweat is primarily made of water, but it also contains salts and small amounts of other substances like urea.

Cultural Practices

In many cultures, sweating is associated with health; for example, sweat lodges are used in Native American traditions as a form of purification.
Saunas, popular in Scandinavian countries, promote sweating to relax muscles and promote overall wellness.
Some sports are designed to induce sweating, such as hot yoga, which emphasizes both physical exercise and hydration.

Health and Fitness

Sweating during exercise helps indicate that your body is working hard and cooling down, making it an important aspect of physical fitness.
Excessive sweating, known as hyperhidrosis, can be a medical condition affecting daily life, but it can often be managed with treatments.
Staying hydrated is key when sweating a lot, as losing too much water can lead to dehydration.

Psychology

Sweating can be a response to stress or anxiety, often leading to a phenomenon called 'nervous sweat.'
In social situations, people may sweat due to pressure or fear of judgment, affecting their confidence and performance.
Research suggests that sweating in response to stressful situations can be viewed as a natural, albeit uncomfortable, biological response.

History

In ancient Rome, public baths were social hubs where people would socialize and sweat, highlighting the relationship between hygiene and community.
Historically, athletes in ancient Greece would compete in weightlifting and running while training in hot conditions to help improve their performance through sweating.
Sweating has been documented in medical texts for centuries, emphasizing its importance in health and wellness in various cultures.

Translations

Translations of the word "sweating" in other languages:

🇵🇹 suor

🇮🇳 पसीना

🇩🇪 Schwitzen

🇮🇩 berkeringat

🇺🇦 потовиділення

🇵🇱 pocenie się

🇯🇵 汗をかく

🇫🇷 transpiration

🇪🇸 sudoración

🇹🇷 terleme

🇰🇷 땀 흘리기

🇸🇦 تعرق

🇨🇿 pocení

🇸🇰 potenie

🇨🇳 出汗

🇸🇮 potenje

🇮🇸 svitamyndun

🇰🇿 терлеу

🇬🇪 ცხიმიანობა

🇦🇿 tərləmə

🇲🇽 sudoración

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,755, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
11752 humid
11753 invaders
11754 mushrooms
11755 sweating
11756 regimen
11757 broadcasts
11758 seizing
...