noun
Uncommon
swine
swyn
Swine (noun) means a pig, especially a domesticated one raised for farming. Example: “The farm kept several dozen swine in the back paddock.”
noun
1
A pig, especially a domesticated one raised for farming.
"The farm kept several dozen swine in the back paddock."
2
A contemptible or unpleasant person.
"He called his ex-business partner a swine after the betrayal."
How to use swine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA pig, or, insultingly, a horrible person.
When to use it
The insult sense is old-fashioned and mostly used in British English.
Common pairings
a herd of swine
you swine
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Word forms
- Plural
- swines
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The farm kept several dozen _____ in the back paddock.
Etymology
From Old English swin, "pig" — an ancient word going back to a shared Indo-European root for the animal, related to the Latin sus and Greek hys.
Rhymes for swine
See all rhymes for swine →Frequently asked questions
What does “swine” mean?
The word “swine” means a pig, especially a domesticated one raised for farming. In plain terms, a pig, or, insultingly, a horrible person.
How do you pronounce “swine”?
“Swine” is pronounced swyn (/swaɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “swine” in a sentence?
Here is “swine” used in a sentence: “The farm kept several dozen swine in the back paddock.”
What part of speech is “swine”?
“Swine” is a noun.
Where does the word “swine” come from?
The word “swine” comes from Latin. From Old English swin, "pig" — an ancient word going back to a shared Indo-European root for the animal, related to the Latin sus and Greek hys.
Is “swine” a common word?
“Swine” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “swine” have?
“Swine” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a pig, especially a domesticated one raised for farming.
