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General

swish

What does swish mean?

A made shot that passes through the basket without touching the rim or backboard, producing the distinctive net sound.

"Nothing but net — pure swish from the corner."

Origin

Onomatopoeic, from the sound of the ball through the net.

Frequently asked questions

What does swish mean in basketball?
It's a made shot that passes cleanly through the hoop, touching only the net and neither rim nor backboard.
Why is it called a swish?
The word is onomatopoeic, imitating the soft 'swish' sound the ball makes as it slides through the net.
What is the difference between a swish and a splash?
They're nearly identical clean makes; 'swish' emphasizes the net sound while 'splash' is more often used for long-range threes.
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Slang definitions: FreeDict original editorial.