noun
cygnet
SIG-nit
Cygnet (noun) means a young swan. Example: “A cygnet followed its mother across the pond.”
noun
1
A young swan.
"A cygnet followed its mother across the pond."
"The pair of swans hatched five cygnets this spring."
"The cygnets rode on their parents' backs."
How to use cygnet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA baby swan.
When to use it
It is a neutral, standard word for a young swan.
Memory tip
Cygnet sounds exactly like signet, so check the spelling and meaning in context.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a cygnet and its mother
a brood of cygnets
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Fill the gap
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A _____ followed its mother across the pond.
Etymology
The word comes from Middle English cignet, from Anglo-Norman. It began as a diminutive of Old French cigne, "swan", which traces back through Latin cygnus to Ancient Greek.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cygnet?
A cygnet is the young of a swan.
How do you pronounce cygnet?
It is pronounced SIG-nit, with the stress on the first syllable. It sounds the same as signet.
Is cygnet spelled the same as signet?
No. They sound alike, but cygnet is spelled with a c and y and means a young swan.
What is the meaning of cygnet?
"cygnet" (noun) means a young swan.
