Definition

A low-calorie sweetener made from two amino acids, often used in food and drinks to provide sweetness without the calories of sugar.

Example

Many diet sodas contain aspartame as a sugar substitute.

Conversation

Have you ever tried drinks sweetened with aspartame?

Yeah, I’ve had a few. They taste pretty good!

I heard it’s a popular alternative for sugar.

Definitely! It’s low-calorie, which is a big plus.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Aspartame is formed from 'aspartic acid' (a type of amino acid) and 'methyl' (a chemical group). The word refers to a sweetener derived from these components, specifically a methyl ester of aspartic acid.

Memory Tip

Think of 'aspartic acid' as a building block of proteins and 'methyl' as a small chemical group that adds sweetness — that's how aspartame is created.

Visually Confused Words