- 1[transitive, intransitive] to clean a room, surface, etc. using a broom (= a type of brush on a long handle) sweep (something) to sweep the floor Chimneys should be swept regularly. sweep something + adj. The showroom had been emptied and swept clean.
- 2[transitive] sweep something + adv./prep. to remove something from a surface using a brush, your hand, etc. She swept the crumbs into the wastebasket. He swept the leaves up into a pile. She swept the clothes onto the floor and invited him to sit down.
- 3[transitive] sweep somebody/something + adv./prep. to move or push someone or something suddenly and with a lot of force The little boat was swept out to sea. Their tent was swept away in the storm. She let herself be swept along by the crowd.
- 4[intransitive, transitive] (of weather, fire, etc.) to move suddenly and/or with force over an area or in a particular direction + adv./prep. Rain swept in through the broken windows. A fire swept through the store on Tuesday night. sweep something Strong winds regularly sweep the islands. of a person
- 5[intransitive] + adv./prep. to move quickly and/or smoothly, especially in a way that impresses or is intended to impress other people Without another word she swept out of the room. (figurative) He swept into the lead with an almost perfect performance.
- 6[transitive] sweep something + adv./prep. to move something, especially your hand or arm, quickly and smoothly in a particular direction He rushed to greet her, sweeping his arms wide. of feelings
- 7[intransitive] + adv./prep. to suddenly affect someone strongly A wave of tiredness swept over her. Memories came sweeping back.
- 8[intransitive, transitive] to spread quickly + adv./prep. Rumors of his resignation swept through the company. sweep something the latest craze sweeping America look/move over area
- 9[intransitive, transitive] to move over an area, especially in order to look for something + adv./prep. His eyes swept around the room. The car headlights swept across the front of the building. sweep something Searchlights swept the sky. She swept the crowd with her binoculars. touch surface
- 10[transitive] sweep something to move, or move something, over a surface, touching it lightly Her dress swept the ground as she walked. hair
- 11[transitive] sweep something + adv./prep. to brush, comb, etc. your hair in a particular direction Her hair was swept back from her face. of landscape
- 12[intransitive] + adv./prep. to form a long smooth curve The hotel lawn sweeps down to the beach.
- 13[transitive] sweep something to win all the games in a series of games against another team or all the parts of a contest The Blue Jays have a chance to sweep the series. New Jersey swept Detroit last season. Idioms
verb jump to other results
NAmE//swip//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they sweep he / she / it sweeps
past simple swept
-ing form sweeping
to win all the prizes, etc. in a competition
to make someone fall suddenly and deeply in love with you She's waiting for some hero to come and sweep her off her feet.
to win an election by a large number of votes; to make someone win an election with a large number of votes
to win a contest easily The Democrats swept to victory in 2008.
to try to stop people from finding out about something wrong, illegal, embarrassing, etc. that has happened or that you have done An earlier report, implicating several top officials, was conveniently swept under the rug. Phrasal Verbssweep alongsweep asidesweep awaysweep outsweep up
Check pronunciation: sweep