sweetened

Everyday

1. Made sweet by adding sugar, honey or another sweet thing. tree →
2. Made more pleasant or more attractive, like a deal that has been sweetened with a bonus. tree →

In the lessons

In health and food lessons pupils compare «sweetened» drinks (with added sugar) and «unsweetened» ones; labels say «no added sugar». In everyday talk «they sweetened the deal» means they added something to make an offer better. Phrases: «sweetened with honey», «artificially sweetened», «sweetened drinks», «sweetened the deal».

Examples

• She sweetened her tea with honey. tree →
• Sweetened drinks are bad for your teeth. tree →
• This yoghurt is sweetened with fruit. tree →
• The shop sweetened the deal by adding a free toy. tree →
• Choose unsweetened cereal for a healthier breakfast. tree →
• Some drinks are artificially sweetened. tree →
• The tart was sweetened with apples. tree →
• This took him some time, but at length he came to a lake whose waters were sweetened with sugar. tree →

Note

Regular verb: sweeten → sweetened. Opposite: «unsweetened». Read labels: «sweetened» means sugar or sweetener was added. Do not mix up «sweetener» (a sweet substance) and «sweetened».