sword
sawd
Sword (noun) means a long-bladed weapon with a hilt, used for cutting or stabbing. Example: “The knight drew his sword before the duel began.”
noun
1
A long-bladed weapon with a hilt, used for cutting or stabbing.
"The knight drew his sword before the duel began."
"Museum visitors admired the engraved medieval sword."
"He hung the old sword above the fireplace."
2
A suit in Spanish and Italian playing cards, used especially in tarot and fortune-telling.
"She drew the Three of Swords during the tarot reading."
"The Ace of Swords in the deck means a new idea or a clear decision."
"The fortune teller laid down the Queen of Swords and smiled."
How to use sword
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA bladed hand weapon — also a suit in tarot cards, and figuratively a symbol of military force.
Common mistake
Not to be confused with "swordfish," which is a completely different thing — a fish with a long bill, not a weapon.
Common pairings
draw a sword
sheathe a sword
cross swords
sword and shield
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Word forms
- Plural
- swords
- Third person singular
- swords
- Past tense
- sworded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The knight drew his _____ before the duel began.
Etymology
From Old English sweord, going back to a very old Germanic root for "sword," related to words like Schwert in German and zwaard in Dutch.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for sword
See all rhymes for sword →Frequently asked questions
What does “sword” mean?
The word “sword” means a long-bladed weapon with a hilt, used for cutting or stabbing. In plain terms, a bladed hand weapon — also a suit in tarot cards, and figuratively a symbol of military force.
How do you pronounce “sword”?
“Sword” is pronounced sawd (/soɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “sword” in a sentence?
Here is “sword” used in a sentence: “The knight drew his sword before the duel began.”
What part of speech is “sword”?
“Sword” is a noun.
Where does the word “sword” come from?
The word “sword” comes from Old English. From Old English sweord, going back to a very old Germanic root for "sword," related to words like Schwert in German and zwaard in Dutch.
Is “sword” a common word?
“Sword” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “sword” have?
“Sword” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long-bladed weapon with a hilt, used for cutting or stabbing.
What is the difference between a sword and a dagger?
A sword is a long-bladed weapon with a hilt, used for cutting or stabbing. A dagger is much shorter, designed mainly for stabbing at close range and often concealed, so the key difference is blade length and reach.
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