verb
swerve
swurv
Swerve (verb) means to turn suddenly away from a straight path, often to avoid hitting something. Example: “The driver swerved to avoid the deer in the road.”
verb
1
To turn suddenly away from a straight path, often to avoid hitting something.
"The driver swerved to avoid the deer in the road."
"The cyclist swerved sharply around the pothole."
noun
1
A sudden change of direction.
"One swerve of the wheel and they missed the crash by inches."
How to use swerve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo suddenly veer off a straight line, usually to dodge something.
Common pairings
swerve to avoid
swerve off the road
swerve into another lane
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Word forms
- Plural
- swerves
- Third person singular
- swerves
- Past tense
- swerved
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The driver _____ to avoid the deer in the road.
Etymology
From Old English sweorfan, meaning "to rub, file, or turn aside" — related to old Germanic words for wiping and turning.
Related words
Rhymes for swerve
See all rhymes for swerve →Frequently asked questions
What does “swerve” mean?
The word “swerve” means to turn suddenly away from a straight path, often to avoid hitting something. In plain terms, to suddenly veer off a straight line, usually to dodge something.
How do you pronounce “swerve”?
“Swerve” is pronounced swurv (/swɝv/ in IPA).
How do you use “swerve” in a sentence?
Here is “swerve” used in a sentence: “The driver swerved to avoid the deer in the road.”
What part of speech is “swerve”?
Depending on how it is used, “swerve” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “swerve” come from?
The word “swerve” comes from Old English. From Old English sweorfan, meaning "to rub, file, or turn aside" — related to old Germanic words for wiping and turning.
How many meanings does “swerve” have?
“Swerve” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to turn suddenly away from a straight path, often to avoid hitting something.
