adj
swarthy
SWAWR-thee
Swarthy (adj) means having noticeably dark skin or a deep tan complexion. Example: “Years working outdoors had left him swarthy and weathered.”
adj
1
Having noticeably dark skin or a deep tan complexion.
"Years working outdoors had left him swarthy and weathered."
"The sailors were swarthy from months at sea under the sun."
How to use swarthy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to describe someone with dark or deeply tanned skin.
Common mistake
It's mostly used about complexion, not race in the technical sense — and can sound old-fashioned or loaded in modern writing, so use it carefully.
Common pairings
swarthy complexion
swarthy skin
a swarthy face
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Word forms
- Plural
- swarthies
- Comparative
- swarthier
- Superlative
- swarthiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Years working outdoors had left him _____ and weathered.
Etymology
From an older English word "swarty," itself from "swart" meaning black, going back to Old English sweart ("black").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for swarthy
See all rhymes for swarthy →Frequently asked questions
What does “swarthy” mean?
The word “swarthy” means having noticeably dark skin or a deep tan complexion. In plain terms, used to describe someone with dark or deeply tanned skin.
How do you pronounce “swarthy”?
“Swarthy” is pronounced SWAWR-thee (/ˈswɔɹði/ in IPA).
How do you use “swarthy” in a sentence?
Here is “swarthy” used in a sentence: “Years working outdoors had left him swarthy and weathered.”
What is the opposite of “swarthy”?
The opposite of “swarthy” — its antonyms — are fair and pale.
What part of speech is “swarthy”?
“Swarthy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “swarthy” come from?
The word “swarthy” comes from Old English. From an older English word "swarty," itself from "swart" meaning black, going back to Old English sweart ("black").
