swan
swon
Swan (noun) means a large, long-necked waterbird, usually with white plumage, known for its graceful appearance. Example: “A pair of swans glided across the lake.”
noun
1
A large, long-necked waterbird, usually with white plumage, known for its graceful appearance.
"A pair of swans glided across the lake."
"The swan hissed at us when we got too close to her nest."
"Children threw bread to the swans floating by the bridge."
verb
1
To move about in a casual, carefree, or self-important way.
"On the other side: the rich, beautiful tapestry of WASP culture that constituted Levis's life—friends playing horseshoes at backyard cocktail parties, where girls swanned in chaise longues, clinking their gin and tonics."
— Ling Ma (2022)
"He swanned into the meeting twenty minutes late without an apology."
"He swans around that stinking office in his expensive clothes that are a little too tight for comfort, he swans around that stinking office without a care in the world."
— Lee Rourke, The Canal (2010)
"She swanned around the office all afternoon, chatting and doing very little work."
"They swanned off to the beach while the rest of us cleaned up."
How to use swan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA graceful, long-necked water bird — or, as a verb, to move around casually as if you have nothing to worry about.
Common pairings
swan around
a pair of swans
swan into the room
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Word forms
- Plural
- swans
- Third person singular
- swans
- Past tense
- swanned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A pair of _____ glided across the lake.
Etymology
From Old English swan, from Proto-Germanic *swanaz, literally "the singing bird."
Related words
Rhymes for swan
See all rhymes for swan →Frequently asked questions
What does “swan” mean?
The word “swan” means a large, long-necked waterbird, usually with white plumage, known for its graceful appearance. In plain terms, a graceful, long-necked water bird — or, as a verb, to move around casually as if you have nothing to worry about.
How do you pronounce “swan”?
“Swan” is pronounced swon (/swɑn/ in IPA).
How do you use “swan” in a sentence?
Here is “swan” used in a sentence: “A pair of swans glided across the lake.”
What part of speech is “swan”?
Depending on how it is used, “swan” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “swan” come from?
The word “swan” comes from Old English. From Old English swan, from Proto-Germanic *swanaz, literally "the singing bird.".
Is “swan” a common word?
“Swan” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “swan” have?
“Swan” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, long-necked waterbird, usually with white plumage, known for its graceful appearance.
What is the difference between a swan and a goose?
A swan is a large waterbird with a notably long neck and usually white plumage, known for its graceful appearance, while geese are generally smaller with shorter necks and less elegant movement. Swans are typically associated more with calm, ornamental waters.
What does it mean to swan around somewhere?
To 'swan around' or 'swan about' means to move in a casual, carefree, or self-important way, often implying the person is avoiding work or drawing attention to themselves. It is an informal, mildly critical expression.
Is 'swan' used as a verb as well as a noun?
Yes, besides naming the bird, 'swan' can be used as a verb meaning to move about in a casual, carefree, or self-important manner. This verb use is informal and typically appears in phrases like 'swanning around'.
