sweats
word · lemma: sweat
Definition
Sweats can mean drops of salty liquid from the skin when you are hot or nervous (plural of 'sweat'), or it can mean comfortable athletic clothing like sweatpants and sweatshirts.
Usage & Nuances
'Sweats' as clothing is informal and common in US English, often short for 'sweatpants' or 'sweatsuit.' As a noun for perspiration, 'the sweats' can also refer to an illness symptom (e.g., 'I had the sweats last night'). 'Sweats' is almost always plural for clothes but can be plural or singular for perspiration.
Example Sentences
She changed into her sweats after work.
basic
He wiped the sweats from his forehead.
basic
It’s common to wear sweats at home on weekends.
basic
I was so nervous before the interview, I got the sweats.
natural
"Let’s just stay in our sweats and watch movies tonight," she said.
natural
The flu gave him the sweats all night.
natural