Pronunciation: /swiːpɪŋ/

Definitions of sweeping

verb A verb expresses action, being, or state of being. In this case, 'sweeping' can function as a verb when referring to the act of cleaning or moving in a wide, smooth motion.

Example Sentences

A1 I am sweeping the floor.

A2 She is sweeping the leaves off the sidewalk.

B1 The janitor is sweeping the hallways of the school.

B2 The caretaker was sweeping the driveway when I arrived.

C1 The street cleaner was sweeping the roads early in the morning.

C2 The groundskeeper meticulously swept the entire park before the event.

adjective An adjective describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. In this case, 'sweeping' is describing the noun it is modifying.

Example Sentences

A1 The janitor did a sweeping job of cleaning the floors.

A2 She had a sweeping view of the ocean from her hotel room.

B1 The politician made sweeping changes to the healthcare system.

B2 The artist's sweeping brush strokes created a beautiful masterpiece.

C1 The novel had a sweeping narrative that captivated readers.

C2 The director's sweeping vision brought the epic film to life.

Examples of sweeping in a Sentence

formal The sweeping changes in the company's policies were met with mixed reactions from employees.

informal I saw a sweeping view of the city from the top of the hill.

slang The party last night was a sweeping success!

figurative Her sweeping gestures captured the attention of the audience during the performance.

Grammatical Forms of sweeping

past tense

swept

plural

sweepings

comparative

more sweeping

superlative

most sweeping

present tense

sweeps

future tense

will sweep

perfect tense

have swept

continuous tense

is sweeping

singular

sweep

positive degree

sweeping

infinitive

to sweep

gerund

sweeping

participle

sweeping

Origin and Evolution of sweeping

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The word 'sweeping' originated from the Old English word 'swapan' which means to clean or clear by sweeping.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'sweeping' evolved to not only refer to the act of cleaning by sweeping but also to describe something extensive, broad, or all-encompassing.