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
At the center of the fun is a drug called the Beauty, which can transform the ugliest duckling into the loveliest swan but after a while develops the unfortunate side effect described above, making hotness literal.—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026 Each swan on Anthropologie’s Icon glass has a bright orange beak and fluffy feathers.—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 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