swig
6 synonyms for swig, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To drink something in large gulps, often straight from the bottle or can.
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 drink something in large gulps, often straight from the bottle or can.
“He swigged the last of his water before the race.”
How to use swig
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
take a swig
swig from the bottle
Informal — used in casual speech, not in formal or technical writing.
Etymology
Origin uncertain, first recorded in the mid-1500s; possibly related to Old English swelgan, "to swallow."
Full origin of swig →Frequently asked questions
What does “swig” mean?
The word “swig” means to drink something in large gulps, often straight from the bottle or can. In plain terms, to drink something quickly in big gulps, or a single big gulp of a drink.
How do you pronounce “swig”?
“Swig” is pronounced swihg (/swɪɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “swig” in a sentence?
Here is “swig” used in a sentence: “He swigged the last of his water before the race.”
What part of speech is “swig”?
Depending on how it is used, “swig” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “swig” come from?
The word “swig” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Old English. Origin uncertain, first recorded in the mid-1500s; possibly related to Old English swelgan, "to swallow.".
How many meanings does “swig” have?
“Swig” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to drink something in large gulps, often straight from the bottle or can.
