swank

1 of 4

verb

swanked; swanking; swanks

swank

2 of 4

adjective (1)

Scotland
: full of life or energy : active

swank

3 of 4

adjective (2)

variants or swanky
swanker or swankier; swankiest
1
: characterized by showy display : ostentatious
a swank limousine
2
: fashionably elegant : smart
a swank restaurant
swankily adverb
swankiness noun

swank

4 of 4

noun

1
: arrogance or ostentation of dress or manner : pretentiousness, swagger
2

Examples of swank in a Sentence

Verb rich people swanking around in their expensive cars Noun service that is the essence of swank: the waiters pull out your chair for you and even place your napkin on your lap
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Icon has more options for families and those traveling in groups who may want to swank up their lodging. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 30 Jan. 2024 The season of sunbathing in swim trunks, surfing in board shorts, and swanking about your style in slides—because no one wants to deal with the fuss of lacing up heft shoes and boots or the hassle of smelly socks. Bernd Fischer, menshealth.com, 10 May 2023
Adjective
The shelter has been bulldozed, swank condos have been built around the area. Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 Three new divas from the swank capital of India, Delhi, join the proceedings. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 Photo : David Shepherd, courtesy of Land Rover A swank aesthetic, akin to that of a chic London hotel or lounge, defines the interior, where the Rover denudes the cabin of every possible hard switch. Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2024 Chotto Mate occupies a swank, large and loud space. Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Planeloads of Israeli officials, military chiefs, and tourists began frequenting the swank hotels of Gulf sheikdoms and the souks of Marrakech. Israel, Netanyahu argued, could prosper as a Western-style country while pushing aside the Palestinians. Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 7 Feb. 2024 On Sunday a swank dinner party at db Moderne will keep the artsy herds entertained. Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 The kids wore designer clothes and partied at swank hotels. Patrick Radden Keefe, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 Houston – Davis Street at Hermann Park Every Thanksgiving, esteemed chef Mark Holley welcomes diners into his swank, homey restaurant. Dwight Brown, Essence, 13 Nov. 2023
Noun
The scarves were a way to bring softness to something masculine like a suit jacket, but the swank of the fabric in its length and elaborate draping pushed the feeling beyond refinement into something sublime, imperious, and cool. Rachel Tashjian, Harper's BAZAAR, 2 Mar. 2023 The swank is served up at Honorary Member — the second concept within The Twelve Thirty Club. Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2021 Set within four breathtaking 18th century buildings that would make any architecture-lover swoon, this former Manor house is the epitome of chic winter retreat with a mix of Oriental opulence and modern Milanese swank. Stephanie Orma, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2022 Check into somewhere swank, change into a plush bathrobe and don't forget to order up some room service. Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, 30 Nov. 2022 Looking gorgeous in Maile Okamura’s swank, detailed costumes, the dancers are given lots of kick-ball-changes, chassés, grapevines, and the like. Janine Parker, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2022 This swank pizzeria in Old Town Cottonwood helped define the city's rising culinary scene, creating a spot that is sophisticated and authentic. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 6 May 2022 Their catalog is a perfect blend of visceral, swank-riddled rock songs, streaked with experimental touches, and hummable pop melodies. Corbin Reiff, SPIN, 17 Mar. 2022 Now, the rich kids of Wuhan down pricey bottles of whiskey and bop to crashing electronica at the city's swank nightclubs. Dake Kang, Star Tribune, 23 Jan. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'swank.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps akin to Middle High German swanken to sway; akin to Middle Dutch swanc supple

Adjective (1)

Middle Low German or Middle Dutch swanc supple; akin to Old High German swingan to swing

First Known Use

Verb

1708, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (1)

1773, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

circa 1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of swank was in 1708

Dictionary Entries Near swank

Cite this Entry

“Swank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swank. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

swank

1 of 3 verb
ˈswaŋk

swank

2 of 3 noun
1
: showy display or pride in dress or manners
2

swank

3 of 3 adjective
variants or swanky
swanker or swankier; swankest
1
: marked by showy display : ostentatious
a swank limousine
2
: fashionably elegant
a swank restaurant
swankily adverb
swankiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on swank

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