swag

noun (1)

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\ ˈswag

Definition of swag

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 informal

a : goods acquired by unlawful means : booty, loot … the swag from this and other forms of graft was kept hidden …— Frederick Lewis Allen … a pirate's spectral wife, who has roamed the harbor ever since she was left behind to guard his swag.— Katharine Whittemore

b : valuable articles or goods One of the premier spots in the area to land home-bar swag is Pub Stuff in Stafford. The store is packed with everything … for homeowners looking to make their bar stand out.— Matt Pais

c : promotional goods or items … Ravens gear was selling better than O's swag. I bought one of the cartoon-bird caps …— David Simon

d : goods given to people who attend or participate in an event Her handbags … one year were a part of the swag celebrities brought home from the Screen Actors Guild Awards.— Karen Martin

e : money, lucre … affirmed that he is now bonded to pay up to $5,000 to any listener who may lose out on swag being offered by another network.— Saul Carson

2a : a decorative strip or chain hanging in a curve between two points : festoon … transverse swags of carmine floral design and top crown frieze …— James Joyce

b : a suspended cluster of something (such as evergreen branches) Garlands of green, with roses interspersed, were in swags and loops about the splendid walls …— E. Barrington

3 : a slow movement back and forth : sway sense 1 … a shudder took the whole structure of the vessel and my body on the bed, too, and the Kentucky Queen yawed to the deep inner swag of the river.— Robert Penn Warren

4 chiefly Australia : a pack of personal belongings … I'd be the last to strike my tent and sling my swag.— Ambrose Bierce

swag

noun (2)

Definition of swag (Entry 2 of 3)

US slang

: bold or brash self-confidence : swagger, cockiness His theory: "If you want the world to change, you must be the change you want in the world … . It's good to have swag but better to have substance."— Briana Barner On Sunday, hometown faves Derrick Carter and Jamila Woods tear up the Blue stage while Beyonce's little sister, Solange, brings her grown woman swag as the headliner on the Green stage.— Mary L. Dratcher Lewis spoke of "a breezy self confidence," known perhaps today as swag …— Anton Allahar I'm not just talking about his cheesy one-liners and the smirk that sometimes comes with them—the way he delivers that line is pure swag.— LaToya Ferguson

swag

verb

swagged; swagging

Definition of swag (Entry 3 of 3)

intransitive verb

1 : sway, lurch

2 : sag, droop

transitive verb

1 : to adorn with swags

2 : to arrange (something, such as drapery) in swags

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About swag

Synonyms for swag

Synonyms: Noun (1)

Synonyms: Verb

Examples of swag in a Sentence

Noun (1) The robbers divided the swag. robbed a bank and hid the swag under the floorboards Verb the days of endless worrying had taken their toll, and the old woman's face swagged with exhaustion

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun So if you guys want to make rings a signature part of his look, this Valentine’s day, surprise him with a ring that conveys a message of his swag. — Joseph Deacetis, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2022 Edwards, the second-year guard, added swag and talent. — Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2022 Eggs contained items such as bracelets, rings, stickers, candy, mini figures, temporary tattoos and Park District of Highland Park swag. — Karie Angell Luc, chicagotribune.com, 11 Apr. 2022 Wang gave it a theatrical hard-metal rhythmic swag that brought cheers. — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2022 Staples like the bomber cycle in and out of the mainstream fashion conversation, but all signs point to a reemergence of the style—and its enduring swag. — Kerry Pieri, Harper's BAZAAR, 10 Feb. 2022 Toward the end of our call, Earl settles into his home studio and opens up about all sorts of topics: African proverbs, the murkiness of old-school jazz, the swag of '90s hip-hop. — Marcus J. Moore, EW.com, 13 Jan. 2022 The swag accompanying the album launch included a vinyl version of the record, a photo album and some other fun things. — Javier Hasse, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2021 Both packages are $30 and include St. Patrick’s Day swag. — Samantha Nelson, chicagotribune.com, 8 Mar. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Those watching the race at home, or at the track, can scan the code and win prizes such as tickets to future races or swag such as T-shirts, hats, floor mats, racing flags, and koozies. — Greg Engle, Forbes, 17 Apr. 2021 Then head over to Rival, the award-winning boutique hotel has a retro Art Deco swag that’s inviting and super chic. — Essence, 11 June 2020 From major labels to local designers, her style (shout out her stylist Scot Louie) and swag behind each look are impeccable. Check out our favorite looks from Ryan Destiny below. — Maiya Carmichael, Essence, 8 Aug. 2019 The two-bedroom suite is further swagged out with robes, pillows, towels, and eye masks in Hästens's trademark blue and white checkered pattern. — Kaitlin Menza, House Beautiful, 13 Dec. 2019 Business is all about the packaging, and the enormous stacks of sharply illustrated shipping boxes for all that swag sent a clear and strong message. — Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 24 Sep. 2019 The 100-year-old maroon velvet rope still swags alongside the curving stairs. — Judy Rose, Detroit Free Press, 10 July 2019 Souvenirs from his time include a fortune worth of silk window treatments — draped, swagged, fringed, puddled or ballooned — that reach past 20 feet tall in the living room. — Judy Rose, Detroit Free Press, 29 June 2019 In Rossa, Buren’s stripes wrap the soft edges of the building, the two patterns of color meeting in a swagging line around the middle. — Shonquis Moreno, Curbed, 6 Aug. 2018 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'swag.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.