sweaty

In gaming, sweaty describes someone who plays with intense, over-the-top effort, especially in matches that are supposed to be casual. A sweaty player is grinding hard, using every trick and taking the game very seriously.

What does sweaty mean?

The image is someone literally sweating over the controller. A sweaty player might use only the strongest weapons, practice advanced techniques, or play a relaxed party mode like it is a tournament final. The word sits close to try-hard, and it became especially common in Fortnite and other battle royale games, where “sweats” are the players who seem to live in the game.

It is usually a mild insult, but it can also be a backhanded compliment. Being called sweaty often just means you are better than the person complaining.

How to use it

• “It’s a casual lobby and this guy is building like it’s the world cup. So sweaty.”
• “I got matched with three sweats and died in ten seconds.”
• “Don’t be sweaty, we’re just playing for fun.”
• “Okay, I got a little sweaty in that last round.”

Sweaty outside gaming

People also use it for anyone trying very hard to impress, from an overprepared group project member to someone who is clearly desperate for attention. In that sense it overlaps with “try-hard” and “thirsty.”

Related terms

• try-hard: someone putting in way too much effort
• cracked: extremely skilled
• meta: the most effective strategy right now
• smurf: a skilled player on a new account
• noob: a beginner

See more terms like this in our gaming slang dictionary.