swab
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for swab, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small pad of absorbent material, often on a stick, used to clean a wound, apply medicine, or collect a sample.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use swab
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle Dutch zwabber ("mop"), originally referring to a sailor whose job was mopping the deck.
Full origin of swab →Frequently asked questions
What does “swab” mean?
The word “swab” means a small pad of absorbent material, often on a stick, used to clean a wound, apply medicine, or collect a sample. In plain terms, either a small stick with an absorbent tip for cleaning or sampling, or a mop — and, as a verb, to clean with either.
How do you pronounce “swab”?
“Swab” is pronounced swob (/swɒb/ in IPA).
How do you use “swab” in a sentence?
Here is “swab” used in a sentence: “The nurse used a cotton swab to clean the cut before bandaging it.”
What part of speech is “swab”?
Depending on how it is used, “swab” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “swab” come from?
The word “swab” comes from Dutch. From Middle Dutch zwabber ("mop"), originally referring to a sailor whose job was mopping the deck.
How many meanings does “swab” have?
“Swab” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small pad of absorbent material, often on a stick, used to clean a wound, apply medicine, or collect a sample.