sweaty

• IPA^(key): /ˈswɛti/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

  • (General American) IPA^(key): [ˈswɛɾi]
• Rhymes: -ɛti

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

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.

   • 1951, J. D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, Boston, Mass.: Little, Brown and Company, →OCLC:

     You never worried, with Jane, whether your hand was sweaty or not. All you knew was, you were happy. You really were.

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."

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.

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

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:)

• wastey