sweetly
gb/swˈitli/ us/swˈitli/
B1
English
~ 6600
kedvesen, szelíden, édesen, szépen, dallamosan, békésen, nyugodtan, édesdeden
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] [verb] sweetly
She smiled sweetly and offered to help him with his bags.
Kedvesen rámosolygott, és felajánlotta, hogy segít neki a csomagjaival.
“Thank you for coming,” he said sweetly, though his eyes looked tired.
„Köszönöm, hogy eljöttél” – mondta kedvesen, bár fáradtnak tűnt a tekintete.
The little girl asked sweetly if she could have another cookie.
He spoke so sweetly that it was hard to be angry with him.
They waved sweetly at their neighbors as they drove away.
Learner examples
The child smiles sweetly at her mother.
A gyerek kedvesen rámosolyog az édesanyjára.
He asks the teacher sweetly for more time.
Kedvesen megkéri a tanárt, hogy adjon neki még egy kis időt.
She speaks sweetly to the old man.
The woman thanks the waiter sweetly.
The boy looks at the camera and smiles sweetly.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"she is sweetly"* when they mean *"she is sweet"*. Use **sweet** after **be** (She is sweet) and **sweetly** after an action verb (She smiles sweetly). Another mistake is overusing 'sweetly' where 'nicely' or 'kindly' is more natural in modern English.
Meaning
in a kind, gentle way
Collocations
smile sweetly
|speak sweetly
|say sweetly
|ask sweetly
|look sweetly
|sweetly polite
Synonyms
nicely (A very general word for doing something in a pleasant or kind way; lacks the slightly childlike, charming tone that 'sweetly' can have.)
|
gently (Focuses more on softness and lack of force, while 'sweetly' adds a sense of kindness or charm.)
Antonyms
harshly (Describes speaking or acting in a hard, unkind, and unpleasant way, the opposite of a sweet, gentle manner.)
|
rudely (Shows lack of politeness or respect, which contrasts with the polite, kind feeling of 'sweetly'.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a kind, soft, and very nice way, especially when you speak, look, or act toward someone.
In a way that is kind, gentle, and pleasantly charming, especially in someone's behavior, tone, or facial expression.
B2
2
szépen
A1
dallamosan
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] sounds/sings sweetly
The choir sang sweetly as the candles were lit.
A kórus szépen énekelt, miközben meggyújtották a gyertyákat.
Birds were singing sweetly outside the open window.
Odakint, a nyitott ablaknál, szépen énekeltek a madarak.
A violin played sweetly in the background during dinner.
The bells rang sweetly across the valley at sunset.
Her voice rose sweetly above the noise of the crowd.
Learner examples
The girl sings sweetly in the church.
A lány szépen énekel a templomban.
Birds sing sweetly in the trees.
A madarak szépen énekelnek a fák között.
The music plays sweetly in the room.
The bells ring sweetly in the morning.
His voice sounds sweetly to the children.
Common mistake:
Learners often use the adjective instead of the adverb and say *"she sings sweet"* in standard English. The usual form is **she sings sweetly**, although in casual speech some native speakers do say *"sing sweet"*.
Meaning
in a pleasant musical way
Collocations
sing sweetly
|sound sweetly
|play sweetly
|ring sweetly
|sweetly singing birds
Synonyms
melodiously (More formal and strongly linked to music; 'sweetly' is more common and can sound slightly warmer or softer.)
|
tunefully (Emphasizes being in tune; 'sweetly' emphasizes pleasant, gentle sound rather than technical correctness.)
Antonyms
harshly (Describes sounds that are hard and unpleasant to hear, the opposite of soft, sweet sounds.)
|
discordantly (Suggests clashing notes and unpleasant harmony, contrasting with the harmonious quality of 'sweetly'.)
Themes
music
|sound
|arts
|arts_entertainment
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a soft and very nice way that is good to hear, usually about music or a voice.
In a way that sounds soft, clear, and pleasant to hear, especially of music, singing, or certain other sounds.
B2
3
édesen
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] smells/tastes sweetly (of [something])
The roses smelled sweetly in the warm evening air.
A rózsák édesen illatoztak a meleg esti levegőben.
The sauce tasted sweetly of honey and garlic.
A szószban édesen érződött a méz és a fokhagyma íze.
Her hair was sweetly scented with jasmine.
The air blew sweetly from the orange groves nearby.
The tea was sweetly flavored with vanilla.
Learner examples
The flowers smell sweetly in the garden.
A virágok édesen illatoznak a kertben.
The cake tastes sweetly because of the honey.
A süteménynek a méz miatt édes íze van.
Her perfume smells sweetly on her skin.
The air from the trees smells sweetly.
This drink tastes sweetly of mango.
Common mistake:
In everyday English, speakers more often say **"smells sweet"** or **"tastes sweet"** than **"smells sweetly"** or **"tastes sweetly"**, so overusing the adverb can sound literary or unusual. Use **sweetly** mainly when you want to sound descriptive or poetic.
Meaning
with a pleasant sugary taste
Collocations
smell sweetly
|taste sweetly
|sweetly scented
|sweetly perfumed
|sweetly flavored
Synonyms
sugarily (Focuses very directly on sugar and suggests a strong sweet taste; 'sweetly' can also suggest natural or delicate sweetness, especially with smells.)
Antonyms
bitterly (In taste, 'bitter' is the opposite of 'sweet'; the adverb 'bitterly' is rare with taste but can contrast with 'sweetly' for strong unpleasant flavor.)
Themes
food
|senses
|nature
|food_drink
|core_vocabulary
Definition
With a sugar-like or flower-like taste or smell that is nice.
With a noticeable sweet taste or smell, similar to sugar, honey, or flowers.
B2
LITERARY
4
Usage pattern:
[someone] sleeps/rests sweetly
The baby was sleeping sweetly in her crib.
A kisbaba békésen aludt a kiságyában.
He lay sweetly dreaming, unaware of the storm outside.
Békésen álmodva feküdt, mit sem sejtve a kinti viharról.
They wished their guests to rest sweetly after the long journey.
Children slept sweetly on the bus as it drove through the night.
At last she breathed evenly and slept sweetly until morning.
Learner examples
The baby sleeps sweetly in the bed.
A baba békésen alszik az ágyban.
She is tired and now she rests sweetly.
Fáradt, és most békésen pihen.
The child lies in his room and dreams sweetly.
After the trip, they all sleep sweetly.
He closes his eyes and sleeps sweetly.
Common mistake:
Learners often prefer the more common adverb **peacefully** and may not realize **sweetly** in this sense sounds more literary or poetic. It is usually used with positive, gentle images, especially of children.
Meaning
peacefully and comfortably
Collocations
sleep sweetly
|rest sweetly
|sweetly sleeping child
|dream sweetly
Synonyms
peacefully (Very common and neutral; 'sweetly' adds a warmer, more affectionate feeling, especially when talking about children or loved ones.)
Antonyms
restlessly (Describes moving a lot and not being calm while resting or sleeping, the opposite of calm, sweet sleep.)
Themes
sleep
|health
|emotions
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a quiet, calm, and happy way, usually when someone is sleeping or resting.
In a calm, peaceful, and comfortable way, especially used to describe someone sleeping or resting.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sweetly
IPA
GB/swˈitli/
US/swˈitli/
Syllables & stress
sweetly (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (sweetly)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sweetly
- Plural: sweetlies
Word family
Forms
sweetlies
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unsweetened
adjective
Advanced or less common
sweetish
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.