sweater

noun

sweat·​er ˈswe-tər How to pronounce sweater (audio)
1
: one that sweats or causes sweating
2
a
: a knitted or crocheted jacket or pullover
b
: a heavy jersey worn in ice hockey

Examples of sweater in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Wear them now with ribbed tank tops, dressy button-ups, crochet blouses, and flip-flop heels, then carry them into fall with cozy flannels, cropped sweaters, clogs, and ballet flats. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 The collection also includes a special edition rollneck sweater with a dinosaur intarsia graphic that's knit right into the fabric. — Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 30 July 2026 The idea is to create a kitchen that feels as cozy and luxe as a cashmere sweater. — Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2026 Launched in 2019 with $50 cashmere sweaters, the company has now expanded to more than 100 categories, spanning apparel, home, jewelry, travel, furniture and gourmet food. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sweater

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sweater was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing sweater

Rhymes for sweater

See All Rhymes for sweater

Browse Nearby Words

sweat equity
sweater
sweaterdress
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sweater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweater. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

sweater

noun
sweat·​er ˈswet-ər How to pronounce sweater (audio)
1
: one that sweats or causes sweating
2
: a knitted or crocheted jacket or pullover

More from Merriam-Webster on sweater

Nglish: Translation of sweater for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sweater

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All