Definition

A type of food that is sweet and often made with sugar, like candy or candied fruit.

Example

At the festival, they served various sweetmeats that delighted everyone.

Conversation

Have you ever tried that new dessert place downtown?

No, I haven't! What's special about it?

They have the most amazing sweetmeat I've ever tasted.

That sounds delicious! We should definitely check it out this weekend.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Sweetmeat → It is formed from "sweet" (from Old English *swete*, meaning pleasing to the taste) and "meat" (from Old English *mete*, meaning food or meal). The word "sweetmeat" refers to a food that is sweet in flavor, often a confection or dessert.

Memory Tip

Think of something that is 'pleasing to the taste' ('sweet') and 'food' ('meat') — that's why sweetmeat refers to a sweet food or treat.

Visually Confused Words