swallow
14 synonyms and 2 antonyms for swallow, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To move food or drink from the mouth down into the stomach.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To move food or drink from the mouth down into the stomach.
“The tablet was so big that she struggled to swallow it.”
Opposites
How to use swallow
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
swallow your pride
swallow a story
hard to swallow
Etymology
From Old English swelgan, "to swallow, devour."
Full origin of swallow →Frequently asked questions
What does “swallow” mean?
The word “swallow” means to move food or drink from the mouth down into the stomach. In plain terms, to take food down your throat into your stomach — or figuratively, to accept or endure something without objecting.
How do you pronounce “swallow”?
“Swallow” is pronounced SWOL-oh (/ˈswɑ.loʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “swallow” in a sentence?
Here is “swallow” used in a sentence: “He took a large bite and swallowed before speaking.”
What part of speech is “swallow”?
Depending on how it is used, “swallow” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “swallow” come from?
The word “swallow” comes from Old English. From Old English swelgan, "to swallow, devour.".
Is “swallow” a common word?
“Swallow” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “swallow” have?
“Swallow” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move food or drink from the mouth down into the stomach.
What is the difference between the two main meanings of "swallow"?
"Swallow" can be a verb meaning to move food or drink down into the stomach, or a noun naming a small, fast-flying migratory bird with a forked tail. The two senses are unrelated in meaning despite sharing the same spelling.
