Meaning & use
aspartame
Last updated
UK/ˈæspəteɪm/
US/ˈæspərteɪm/
Meaning
noununcountablechemistry
A man-made sweetener, much sweeter than sugar, added to diet drinks and low-calorie foods.
Grammar: Uncountable: the drink contains aspartame.
Patterns
- sweetened with aspartame
- contains aspartame
This diet soda is sweetened with aspartame instead of sugar.
Some people try to avoid aspartame in their food.
The label says the gum contains aspartame.
Common combinations
- sweetened with aspartame
- The yogurt is sweetened with aspartame.
- contains aspartame
- The label warns that the drink contains aspartame.
- avoid aspartame
- He tries to avoid aspartame.
- aspartame-free
- She bought an aspartame-free soda.
Synonyms and how they differ
- artificial sweetener
- Artificial sweetener is the general category, while aspartame is one specific type.
- sugar substitute
- Sugar substitute covers any replacement for sugar, not just this chemical.
- sucralose
- Sucralose is a different sweetener that tolerates baking heat better than aspartame.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: aspartame or asparagus?
aspartame vs asparagus
Asparagus is a green vegetable, and aspartame is a sweetener, though the beginnings sound alike.
Practice
Which ingredient is a low-calorie artificial sweetener?
Choose one answer.
Aspartame is the sweetener. Asparagus is a vegetable, aspirin is a pain reliever and aspic is a savory jelly.
Make it your own
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