sweep

noun

UK /swiːp/

Word Forms

singular	sweep
plural	sweeps

1
countable usually singulara long wide curved area of land or water
Not far away was the great sweep of the Radnor Forest.
Synonyms and related words
General words for areas of water
body of water
channel
field
Synonyms and related words
Large areas of land
field
highveld
land mass
2
countable a long smooth curved movement
sweep of:
He threw the gun aside with a sweep of his arm.
Synonyms and related words
Circular and turning movements and about-turns
turn
spin
swirl
3
singular a range of different things that together form a larger unit
sweep of:
the broad sweep of history
Synonyms and related words
Collections, stores and sets of things
agglomeration
arsenal
assemblage
4
countable informala chimney sweep
Synonyms and related words
People whose job is to clean
chambermaid
charwoman
chimney sweep
5
countable usually singulara search of an area made by soldiers or police officers
Synonyms and related words
An attempt to find something or someone
search
hunting
hunt
6
singular an act of sweeping something
She gave the floor a quick sweep.
Synonyms and related words
An instance or an action of cleaning or tidying
rinse
wipe
rub

sweep

noun

US /swip/

Word Forms

singular	sweep
plural	sweeps

1
countable usually singulara long wide curved area of land or water
Synonyms and related words
General words for areas of water
body of water
channel
field
Synonyms and related words
Large areas of land
field
highveld
land mass
2
countable a long smooth curved movement
sweep of:
He threw the gun aside with a sweep of his arm.
Synonyms and related words
Circular and turning movements and about-turns
turn
spin
about-face
3
singular a range of different things that together form a larger unit
sweep of:
the broad sweep of history
Synonyms and related words
Collections, stores and sets of things
agglomeration
arsenal
assemblage
4
countable informala chimney sweep
Synonyms and related words
People whose job is to clean
chambermaid
charwoman
chimney sweep
5
countable usually singulara search of an area made by soldiers or police officers
Synonyms and related words
An attempt to find something or someone
search
hunting
hunt
6
singular Americana series of successes in sports, or the achievement of winning all the top places in a competition
a three-game sweep
Synonyms and related words
A victory in a game or competition
grand slam
victory
win
7
countable a sweepstakes
Synonyms and related words
Gambling games and places where gambling takes place
a game of chance
bingo
bingo
8
singular an act of sweeping something
She gave the floor a quick sweep.
Synonyms and related words
An instance or an action of cleaning or tidying
wipe
rinse
rub

sweep

verb

UK /swiːp/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	sweep
he/she/it	sweeps
present participle	sweeping
past tense	swept
past participle	swept

1
intransitive/transitive to clean a floor, the ground, or another surface using a broom (=brush with a long handle)
After you’ve swept, you can do the washing-up.
Her work consisted mainly of making coffee and sweeping the floor.
I want you to sweep up the garage.
Synonyms and related words
To make things cleaner or tidier
clean up
clear out
clean
1. 1a
  transitive to clean something such as a chimney with a long brush
  Little children used to be used to sweep chimneys.
  Synonyms and related words
  To make things cleaner or tidier
  clean up
  clear out
  clean
2
intransitive/transitive to move or spread quickly through an area
Youngsters are risking their lives in a dangerous craze which is sweeping the country.
sweep across:
The hurricane swept across the Gulf of California.
sweep through:
Fire swept through the building.
Synonyms and related words
To move somewhere quickly
fly
hasten
speed
3
transitive to move something or someone with powerful force
The flood waters swept the car downstream.
He was swept along the street by dozens of supporters.
Synonyms and related words
General words meaning to move something
budge
propel
guide
1. 3a
  transitive to move or to carry something or someone away with a quick smooth movement
  He swept his son into his arms.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move something quickly
  fling
  skim
  slide
4
intransitive to go somewhere quickly and confidently
sweep into/past/by etc:
She swept into the office and announced she could only stay ten minutes.
Synonyms and related words
To move somewhere quickly
fly
hasten
speed
1. 4a
  intransitive to move quickly and smoothly without stopping for anyone or anything
  sweep past/through/along etc:
  The limousine carrying the ambassador swept through the gates.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move somewhere quickly
  fly
  hasten
  speed
5
intransitive/transitive to look over every part of someone or something in one continuous movement of your eyes
Her gaze swept the room and she frowned.
As she spoke, her eyes swept over her daughter.
Synonyms and related words
General words meaning to look or not look
look around
look at
look
1. 5a
  transitive to shine a light in a circular or curved movement over an area, especially in order to search for something
  Synonyms and related words
  To search for something or someone
  go through
  look out for
  seek out
6
intransitive to stretch over a large area, especially in a long wide curve
The scenery was beautiful, with cool green forests sweeping down the hillsides.
Synonyms and related words
To spread over an area
spread out
disperse
fan out
7
transitive to win something easily
Synonyms and related words
To win a prize, or to award a prize
medal
award
walk off with
1. 7a
  to win all of the games in a series or all of the top places in a competition
  Synonyms and related words
  To win a game, competition or argument
  win
  clinch
  triumph

phrases

sweep the board

sweep someone off their feet

sweep to/from power

sweep to victory

sweep something under the carpet

phrasal verbs

sweep along

sweep aside

sweep away

sweep back

sweep over

sweep up

sweep

verb

US /swip/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	sweep
he/she/it	sweeps
present participle	sweeping
past tense	swept
past participle	swept

1
intransitive/transitive to clean a floor, the ground, or another surface using a broom (=brush with a long handle)
After you’ve swept, you can wash the dishes.
Her work consisted mainly of making coffee and sweeping the floor.
I want you to sweep up the garage.
Synonyms and related words
To make things cleaner or tidier
clean up
clear out
clean
1. 1a
  transitive to clean something such as a chimney with a long brush
  Little children used to be used to sweep chimneys.
  Synonyms and related words
  To make things cleaner or tidier
  clean up
  clear out
  clean
2
intransitive/transitive to move or spread quickly through an area
Youngsters are risking their lives in a dangerous craze which is sweeping the country.
sweep across:
The hurricane swept across the Gulf of California.
sweep through:
Fire swept through the building.
Disease has swept through this remote city.
Synonyms and related words
To move somewhere quickly
fly
hasten
speed
3
transitive to move something or someone with powerful force
The flood waters swept the car downstream.
He was swept along the street by dozens of supporters.
Synonyms and related words
General words meaning to move something
propel
guide
transfer
1. 3a
  transitive to move or to carry something or someone away with a quick smooth movement
  He swept his son into his arms.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move something quickly
  fling
  skim
  slide
4
intransitive to go somewhere quickly and confidently
sweep into/past/by etc.:
She swept into the office and announced she could only stay ten minutes.
Synonyms and related words
To move somewhere quickly
fly
hasten
speed
1. 4a
  intransitive to move quickly and smoothly without stopping for anyone or anything
  sweep past/through/along etc.:
  The limousine carrying the ambassador swept through the gates.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move somewhere quickly
  fly
  hasten
  speed
5
intransitive/transitive to look over every part of someone or something in one continuous movement of your eyes
Her gaze swept the room and she frowned.
As she spoke, her eyes swept over her daughter.
Synonyms and related words
General words meaning to look or not look
look around
look
check on
1. 5a
  transitive to shine a light in a circular or curved movement over an area, especially in order to search for something
  Synonyms and related words
  To search for something or someone
  go through
  look out for
  seek out
6
intransitive to stretch over a large area, especially in a long wide curve
The scenery was beautiful, with cool green forests sweeping down the hillsides.
Synonyms and related words
To spread over an area
spread out
disperse
fan out
7
transitive to win something easily
Synonyms and related words
To win a prize, or to award a prize
medal
award
carry off
1. 7a
  to win all of the games in a series or all of the top places in a competition
  He was the only man to sweep the diving gold medals in two consecutive Olympics.
  Synonyms and related words
  To win a game, competition or argument
  win
  clinch
  sweep

phrases

sweep the board

sweep someone off their feet

sweep to/from power

sweep to victory

sweep something under the rug

phrasal verbs

sweep along

sweep aside

sweep away

sweep back

sweep over

sweep up

sweep ​‌

sweep ​‌

sweep ​‌‌

sweep ​‌‌

sweep

sweep

sweep

sweep