swain
4 synonyms for swain, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A young man courting a woman, especially in an old-fashioned or poetic, rural setting.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
young man
Etymology
From Old Norse sveinn, "young man, servant" — related to Swedish sven.
Full origin of swain →Frequently asked questions
What does “swain” mean?
The word “swain” means a young man courting a woman, especially in an old-fashioned or poetic, rural setting. In plain terms, an old-fashioned, poetic word for a young male suitor or country lad.
How do you pronounce “swain”?
“Swain” is pronounced swayn (/sweɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “swain” in a sentence?
Here is “swain” used in a sentence: “The poem describes a swain pining for his sweetheart in the meadow.”
What part of speech is “swain”?
“Swain” is a noun.
Where does the word “swain” come from?
The word “swain” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse sveinn, "young man, servant" — related to Swedish sven.
How many meanings does “swain” have?
“Swain” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a young man courting a woman, especially in an old-fashioned or poetic, rural setting.
