noun
swain
swayn
Swain (noun) means a young man courting a woman, especially in an old-fashioned or poetic, rural setting. Example: “The poem describes a swain pining for his sweetheart in the meadow.”
noun
1
A young man courting a woman, especially in an old-fashioned or poetic, rural setting.
"The poem describes a swain pining for his sweetheart in the meadow."
2
Archaic: a country labourer or peasant.
"The old ballad tells of a swain tending sheep on the hillside."
How to use swain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned, poetic word for a young male suitor or country lad.
When to use it
Archaic and literary — you would not use this in ordinary modern speech.
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Word forms
- Plural
- swains
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The poem describes a _____ pining for his sweetheart in the meadow.
Etymology
From Old Norse sveinn, "young man, servant" — related to Swedish sven.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for swain
See all rhymes for 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.
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