Definition

A substance that is used to make food or drinks taste sweet, often used as a substitute for sugar.

Example

Many people use a sweetener in their coffee instead of sugar.

Conversation

Have you tried that new coffee shop in town?

Not yet, but I heard they use a unique sweetener in their drinks.

Yeah, I think I might check it out this weekend.

Let me know how it is, I’m curious about that sweetener!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Sweetener → It is formed from "sweet" (from Old English *swete*, meaning having a pleasant taste) and "-ener" (a suffix used to indicate a person or thing that performs a specific action). The word "sweetener" refers to a substance that makes something sweet or enhances sweetness.

Memory Tip

Think of something that makes food 'pleasant' ('sweet') and adds to it ('-ener'). A sweetener is something that enhances the sweetness of food.

Visually Confused Words