sweetly
gb/swˈitli/ us/swˈitli/
B1
English
~ 6600
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
in a kind, gentle way
In a kind, soft, and very nice way, especially when you speak, look, or act toward someone.
Usage pattern:
[someone] [verb] 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.
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'.)
Collocations
smile sweetly
|speak sweetly
|say sweetly
|ask sweetly
|look sweetly
|sweetly polite
Themes
emotions
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She smiled sweetly and offered to help him with his bags.
- “Thank you for coming,” he said sweetly, though his eyes looked tired.
- 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.
- He asks the teacher sweetly for more time.
- She speaks sweetly to the old man.
- The woman thanks the waiter sweetly.
- The boy looks at the camera and smiles sweetly.
adverb
B2
property
2
in a pleasant musical way
In a soft and very nice way that is good to hear, usually about music or a voice.
Usage pattern:
[something] sounds/sings sweetly
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"*.
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'.)
Collocations
sing sweetly
|sound sweetly
|play sweetly
|ring sweetly
|sweetly singing birds
Themes
music
|sound
|arts
|arts_entertainment
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The choir sang sweetly as the candles were lit.
- Birds were singing sweetly outside the open window.
- 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.
- Birds sing sweetly in the trees.
- The music plays sweetly in the room.
- The bells ring sweetly in the morning.
- His voice sounds sweetly to the children.
adverb
B2
property
3
with a pleasant sugary taste
With a sugar-like or flower-like taste or smell that is nice.
Usage pattern:
[something] smells/tastes sweetly (of [something])
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.
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.)
Collocations
smell sweetly
|taste sweetly
|sweetly scented
|sweetly perfumed
|sweetly flavored
Themes
food
|senses
|nature
|food_drink
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The roses smelled sweetly in the warm evening air.
- The sauce tasted sweetly of honey and garlic.
- 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.
- The cake tastes sweetly because of the honey.
- Her perfume smells sweetly on her skin.
- The air from the trees smells sweetly.
- This drink tastes sweetly of mango.
adverb
literary
B2
property
4
peacefully and comfortably
In a quiet, calm, and happy way, usually when someone is sleeping or resting.
Usage pattern:
[someone] sleeps/rests 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.
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.)
Collocations
sleep sweetly
|rest sweetly
|sweetly sleeping child
|dream sweetly
Themes
sleep
|health
|emotions
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The baby was sleeping sweetly in her crib.
- He lay sweetly dreaming, unaware of the storm outside.
- 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.
- She is tired and now she rests sweetly.
- The child lies in his room and dreams sweetly.
- After the trip, they all sleep sweetly.
- He closes his eyes and sleeps sweetly.
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.