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
As black swans go, Hormuz closing for weeks or months would be an economic disaster on par with a global pandemic.—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026 In Darren Aronofsky's body horror ballet drama, Portman veers demonic and literally turns into a human swan.—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 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