Perspirate vs. Sweat — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 9, 2024
Perspirate and sweat both mean to release moisture through the skin's pores to cool the body. Perspirate is a more formal term, often used medically, while sweat is the more commonly used and informal term.
Difference Between Perspirate and Sweat
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Perspirate is a formal verb meaning to secrete sweat through the skin to regulate body temperature. Sweat, on the other hand, is an informal verb and noun describing the same bodily process.
Perspirate is often used in medical or technical contexts to emphasize the physiological process. Whereas, sweat is more versatile, being suitable for everyday conversations and various expressions.
Perspirate describes the physical act and is less commonly used in everyday language. Sweat, however, can refer to both the action of perspiring and the salty liquid produced by the body.
Perspirate lacks many idioms or expressions associated with sweat, which is used metaphorically to express exertion or nervousness. While sweat is used in phrases like "no sweat," perspirate doesn't have such colloquial usage.
Perspirate emphasizes the body's cooling mechanism, often linked to specific physiological conditions. Sweat captures a wider range of uses, from physical activity to expressions of concern.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Formality
More formal, technical
Informal, everyday
Part of Speech
Verb
Verb and noun
Context
Medical, scientific
Everyday language, idiomatic
Meaning
The act of releasing sweat
Both the action and the sweat itself
Usage
Limited, formal texts
Common in expressions and conversations
Compare with Definitions
Perspirate
To undergo the process of sweating, usually due to heat or stress.
Many people perspirate when giving public speeches.
Sweat
To release sweat as a means of body cooling.
He started to sweat profusely under the bright stage lights.
Perspirate
To secrete sweat through the pores of the skin.
The hot weather caused everyone to perspirate heavily.
Sweat
To work hard or laboriously.
They sweat for hours to finish the project before the deadline.
Perspirate
To exhibit the physiological response of sweating.
Athletes tend to perspirate more during summer training.
Sweat
Effort or exertion.
With a bit of sweat, she finished her daily workout.
Perspirate
To cool the body through the release of moisture.
He began to perspirate during the intense workout.
Sweat
The salty liquid excreted through the skin.
The sweat on his forehead showed how nervous he was.
Perspirate
To excrete moisture as a natural physiological response.
Humans perspirate to regulate their body temperature.
Sweat
To experience physical or mental stress.
She sweated over the upcoming job interview.
Perspirate
(rare) Sweaty; moist with perspiration.
Sweat
Moisture exuded through the pores of the skin, typically in profuse quantities as a reaction to heat, physical exertion, fever, or fear
Beads of sweat broke out on her brow
Perspirate
(dated) To perspire; to sweat.
Sweat
Another term for sweatsuit or sweatpants
Sweat
Exude sweat
He was sweating profusely
Sweat
Heat (chopped vegetables) slowly in a pan with a small amount of fat, so that they cook in their own juices
Sweat the celery and onions with olive oil and seasoning
Sweat
Subject (metal) to surface melting, especially to fasten or join by solder without a soldering iron
The tyre is sweated on to the wooden parts
Sweat
To excrete perspiration through the pores in the skin; perspire.
Sweat
To exude in droplets, as moisture from certain cheeses or sap from a tree.
Sweat
To collect moisture in small drops from the air, as a cold water pipe.
Sweat
To release moisture, as hay in the swath.
Sweat
To ferment, as tobacco during curing.
Sweat
(Informal) To work long and hard
Sweated over his term paper.
Sweat
(Informal) To fret or worry
Don't sweat over the bills.
Sweat
To excrete (moisture) through a porous surface, such as the skin.
Sweat
To excrete (wastes) in perspiration
Sweated out the toxins in the steam room.
Sweat
To have (moisture) condense in small drops on a surface.
Sweat
To cause to perspire, as by drugs, heat, or strenuous exercise
Running for the train got me sweated up.
Sweat
To make damp or wet with perspiration
His shirt was sweated.
Sweat
To cause to work excessively; overwork.
Sweat
To overwork and underpay (employees).
Sweat
To interrogate (someone) under duress
Sweated the suspected spy for hours.
Sweat
To extract (information) from someone under duress
The police sweated the information out of the suspect.
Sweat
(Metallurgy) To join (metal parts) by interposing cold solder and then heating.
Sweat
To steam (vegetables or other food).
Sweat
(Informal) To fret or worry about
Don't sweat the details.
Sweat
The colorless saline moisture excreted by the sweat glands; perspiration.
Sweat
Condensation of moisture in the form of droplets on a surface.
Sweat
The process of sweating.
Sweat
A condition or instance of sweating
Worked up a sweat raking leaves.
Sweat
Strenuous labor or exertion
It took a lot of sweat to move the piano.
Sweat
A run given to a horse as exercise before a race.
Sweat
(Informal) An anxious, fretful condition
Got myself in a sweat over the deadline.
Sweat
A sweatsuit.
Sweat
Sweatpants.
Sweat
Fluid that exits the body through pores in the skin usually due to physical stress and/or high temperature for the purpose of regulating body temperature and removing certain compounds from the circulation.
Sweat
The state of one who sweats; diaphoresis.
Just thinking about the interview tomorrow puts me into a nervous sweat.
Sweat
(figurative) Hard work; toil.
Sweat
(figurative) Moisture issuing from any substance.
Sweat
A short run by a racehorse as a form of exercise.
Sweat
(historical) The sweating sickness.
Sweat
A soldier (especially one who is old or experienced).
Sweat
An extremely competitive player.
Sweat
(intransitive) To emit sweat.
Sweat
(transitive) To cause to excrete moisture through skin.
Sweat
To cause to perspire.
His physicians attempted to sweat him by most powerful sudorifics.
Sweat
To work hard.
I've been sweating over my essay all day.
Sweat
(video games) To be extremely dedicated to winning a game; to play competitively.
Sweat
To extract money, labour, etc. from, by exaction or oppression.
To sweat a spendthrift
To sweat labourers
Sweat
To worry.
Sweat
To worry about (something).
Don't sweat it!
To sweat the small stuff
Sweat
(transitive) To emit, in the manner of sweat.
To sweat blood
Sweat
(intransitive) To emit moisture.
The cheese will start sweating if you don't refrigerate it.
Sweat
(intransitive) To have drops of water form on (something's surface) due to moisture condensation.
Coasters are a good way to stop a sweating glass from damaging your table.
Sweat
To solder (a pipe joint) together.
Sweat
To stress out.
Stop sweatin' me!
Sweat
To cook slowly at low heat, in shallow oil and without browning, to reduce moisture content.
Sweat
To remove a portion of (a coin), as by shaking it with others in a bag, so that the friction wears off a small quantity of the metal.
Sweat
(intransitive) To suffer a penalty; to smart for one's misdeeds.
Sweat
(transitive) To take a racehorse for a short exercise run.
Sweat
To excrete sensible moisture from the pores of the skin; to perspire.
Sweat
Fig.: To perspire in toil; to work hard; to drudge.
He 'd have the poets sweat.
Sweat
To emit moisture, as green plants in a heap.
Sweat
To cause to excrete moisture from the skin; to cause to perspire; as, his physicians attempted to sweat him by most powerful sudorifics.
Sweat
To emit or suffer to flow from the pores; to exude.
It made her not a drop for sweat.
With exercise she sweat ill humors out.
Sweat
To unite by heating, after the application of soldier.
Sweat
To get something advantageous, as money, property, or labor from (any one), by exaction or oppression; as, to sweat a spendthrift; to sweat laborers.
The only use of it [money] which is interdicted is to put it in circulation again after having diminished its weight by "sweating", or otherwise, because the quantity of metal contains is no longer consistent with its impression.
Sweat
The fluid which is excreted from the skin of an animal; the fluid secreted by the sudoriferous glands; a transparent, colorless, acid liquid with a peculiar odor, containing some fatty acids and mineral matter; perspiration. See Perspiration.
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.
Sweat
The act of sweating; or the state of one who sweats; hence, labor; toil; drudgery.
Sweat
Moisture issuing from any substance; as, the sweat of hay or grain in a mow or stack.
Sweat
The sweating sickness.
Sweat
A short run by a race horse in exercise.
Sweat
Salty fluid secreted by sweat glands;
Sweat poured off his brow
Sweat
Agitation resulting from active worry;
Don't get in a stew
He's in a sweat about exams
Sweat
Condensation of moisture on a cold surface;
The cold glasses were streaked with sweat
Sweat
Use of physical or mental energy; hard work;
He got an A for effort
They managed only with great exertion
Sweat
Excrete perspiration through the pores in the skin;
Exercise makes one sweat
Common Curiosities
What does sweat mean?
Sweat can refer to both the act of releasing sweat and the liquid itself.
What does perspirate mean?
Perspirate means to release sweat through the skin as a bodily response.
Is perspirate the same as sweat?
Yes, perspirate is a more formal synonym for sweat.
Is sweat used metaphorically?
Yes, sweat often refers to effort, anxiety, or work in metaphorical expressions.
Is perspirate always due to heat?
No, perspirate can occur due to stress, exertion, or illness.
Is perspirate commonly used?
No, perspirate is less common and typically appears in technical or medical contexts.
Does sweat only refer to humans?
No, many animals also sweat to cool down, although not all species do.
Can sweat happen without physical activity?
Yes, people can sweat from stress, high temperatures, or health issues.
Is perspirate always visible?
Not necessarily, as some people may only perspirate lightly or less visibly.
Can perspirate be used in idioms?
Not commonly; it's rarely used in idiomatic expressions compared to sweat.
What does "don't sweat it" mean?
It means not to worry or stress about a particular issue.
Is sweat essential for health?
Yes, sweating helps regulate body temperature and eliminate toxins.
Is sweat controlled voluntarily?
No, sweating is an involuntary bodily function controlled by the nervous system.
Does sweat vary between people?
Yes, factors like genetics, health, and climate affect sweat production.
Is it normal to sweat during sleep?
Yes, it's possible, especially if the room is warm or if the person is unwell.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Implication vs. Conclusion
Next Comparison
Adamant vs. StubbornAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
