verb
swig
swihg
Swig (verb) means to drink something in large gulps, often straight from the bottle or can. Example: “He swigged the last of his water before the race.”
verb
1
To drink something in large gulps, often straight from the bottle or can.
"He swigged the last of his water before the race."
"She swigged from her can of soda between takes."
noun
1
A large mouthful or gulp of a drink.
"He took a swig of coffee before heading out the door."
How to use swig
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo drink something quickly in big gulps, or a single big gulp of a drink.
When to use it
Informal — used in casual speech, not in formal or technical writing.
Common pairings
take a swig
swig from the bottle
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Word forms
- Plural
- swigs
- Third person singular
- swigs
- Past tense
- swigged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He took a _____ of coffee before heading out the door.
Etymology
Origin uncertain, first recorded in the mid-1500s; possibly related to Old English swelgan, "to swallow."
Class of 1500
swig joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Related words
Rhymes for swig
See all rhymes for swig →Frequently asked questions
What does “swig” mean?
The word “swig” means to drink something in large gulps, often straight from the bottle or can. In plain terms, to drink something quickly in big gulps, or a single big gulp of a drink.
How do you pronounce “swig”?
“Swig” is pronounced swihg (/swɪɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “swig” in a sentence?
Here is “swig” used in a sentence: “He swigged the last of his water before the race.”
What part of speech is “swig”?
Depending on how it is used, “swig” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “swig” come from?
The word “swig” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Old English. Origin uncertain, first recorded in the mid-1500s; possibly related to Old English swelgan, "to swallow.".
How many meanings does “swig” have?
“Swig” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to drink something in large gulps, often straight from the bottle or can.
