plural also swan: any of various large heavy-bodied long-necked mostly pure white aquatic birds (family Anatidae, especially genus Cygnus) that have webbed feet and are related to but larger than the geese
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Noun
In its place is a swan logo placed more centrally at midfoot and again on the tongue, and both the collar and lacing system stick out as the most significant revisions for a shoe intended to bridge the aesthetics of London and California.—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 23 Feb. 2026 His work has the feel of the ancient, the swans’ necks bent into the handles of amphorae.—Jocelyn Silver, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
They're led by a glamorous male mad scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, who swans about in a glittering corset and heels.—Neda Ulaby, NPR, 27 Sep. 2025 The music video, in which Tay swans around a Malibu mansion in a pastel two-piece, was more controversial.—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for swan
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Middle High German swan and perhaps to Latin sonus sound — more at sound entry 1
Verb (2)
perhaps euphemism for swear
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1