Definition

To make something excessively sweet, often by adding too much sugar or sweetener.

Example

Be careful not to oversweeten the cake, or it will taste too sugary.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I tried making that dessert you love last night.

Oh really? How did it turn out?

I think I might have oversweetened it a bit, though.

That happens sometimes! Just add some salt to balance it out.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Oversweeten → It is formed from "over-" (meaning excessively) and "sweet" (from Old English "swete", meaning having a pleasant taste) and "-en" (a suffix used to form verbs). The word "oversweeten" means to make something excessively sweet.

Memory Tip

Think of adding sweetness 'excessively' ('over-') to something that is already 'sweet' — that's why oversweeten means to make it too sweet.

Visually Confused Words