sweets

sweets — noun

1. small sugary snacks such as boiled sweets, toffees, or lollipops, often wrapped

1.名詞A2
釋義

small sugary snacks such as boiled sweets, toffees, or lollipops, often wrapped and sold individually or in bags

例句

Paul bought a bag of mixed fruit sweets from the corner shop.

collocation: a bag of sweets

Naoko's grandmother always keeps a bowl of mints and toffees on the table.

collocation: a bowl of sweets

同義詞
  • candy

    American English equivalent; used as a mass noun ('a piece of candy')

  • confectionery

    more formal and collective; refers to all sweet products including chocolates

  • bonbons

    fancy or filled chocolates, often with a soft centre

文法句型

sweets (plural) — use 'sweet' for one piece

用法筆記

In British English, 'sweets' is the everyday word for what American English calls 'candy' (which is treated as a mass noun in the US). Use the singular 'sweet' for one piece.

常見錯誤

❌I bought a sweets from the shop.
✅I bought a sweet from the shop.
💡'sweets' itself is already a plural noun; the singular form is 'a sweet'.

2. foods that are made with a large amount of sugar, such as cakes, biscuits, choco

2.名詞B1
釋義

foods that are made with a large amount of sugar, such as cakes, biscuits, chocolate, and ice cream

例句

Mathieu tries to limit sweets like cakes, biscuits, and ice cream to weekends only.

collocation: limit sweets

Roya told the children they could have sweets after they finished their vegetables.

同義詞
  • treats

    more general; also includes non-sugary indulgent foods

  • sugary foods

    more descriptive and clinical; common in health contexts

反義詞

文法句型

sweets (general category)

too many sweets

cut down on sweets

常見錯誤

❌I ate too much sweet.' (using the adjective form as a noun)
✅I ate too many sweets.
💡when referring to sugary foods in general, use the plural noun 'sweets'.

3. a course of sweet food served after dinner or lunch, for example pudding, fruit,

3.名詞B1
釋義

a course of sweet food served after dinner or lunch, for example pudding, fruit, or ice cream

例句

For sweets, Lucía ordered a slice of warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream.

phrase: for sweets (as a course)

Wren asked the waiter what sweets were available before choosing the main course.

同義詞
  • dessert

    standard term in both British and American English; slightly more formal

  • pudding

    British English informal alternative; can also refer to a specific type of dessert

  • afters

    informal British English, common in family settings

反義詞
  • main course

    the primary savoury dish that comes before dessert

  • starter

    the first course of a meal, usually savoury

文法句型

for sweets

what's for sweets?

用法筆記

Chiefly British English. In the UK, 'sweets' is used in everyday conversation to refer to the dessert course, more commonly than the word 'dessert' in home and casual dining contexts.

常見錯誤

❌What is for sweet?' (singular)
✅What is for sweets?
💡the noun is always plural when referring to the dessert course, even when only one dish is served.

4. the flavour of sugar in food or drink, perceived as the opposite of sour, salty,

4.名詞B2
釋義

the flavour of sugar in food or drink, perceived as the opposite of sour, salty, or bitter tastes

例句

The natural sweets of the ripe peaches meant the baker did not add extra sugar.

the natural sweets of [fruit]

This tea has subtle floral sweets from the jasmine flowers used to scent it.

同義詞
  • sweetness

    the more common, everyday word for the quality of being sweet

  • sweet flavour

    more explicit; used when contrasting with other flavours

反義詞
  • bitterness

    the sharp, unpleasant taste opposite to sweet

  • sourness

    the sharp acidic taste, opposite to sweet

  • saltiness

    the taste of salt, contrasting with sweet

文法句型

the sweets of [something]

natural sweets

用法筆記

This sense is more formal or literary than the more common noun 'sweetness'. It is typically used in descriptive or analytical contexts about food, drink, or cooking rather than in everyday conversation.