swatch

noun

ˈswäch 

1

a

: a sample piece (as of fabric) or a collection of samples

b

: a characteristic specimen

2

: patch

3

: a small collection

4

: swath sense 2

Examples of swatch in a Sentence

She looked at fabric swatches to select material for the drapes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Along one wall, swatches of fabric hang in dense, vertical layers—florals brushing against checks, brocades against stripes—forming a kind of working tapestry. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 7 May 2026

Smaller swatches of The Blue and other memorabilia are available to fans starting at $40. —Chadd Cripe. Produced With Ai Assistance, Idaho Statesman, 7 May 2026

Any kind of media or color swatches that catch your eye can be included. —Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 9 Apr. 2026

Who hasn’t stood in front of a wall of swatches and broken out into a cold sweat, returning to the paint store two, three, even four times? —Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for swatch

• boche
• botch
• brough
• crotch
• gotch
• notch
• rotch
• scotch
• watch
• butterscotch
• hopscotch
• stopwatch

Kids Definition

swatch

noun

ˈswäch 

1

: a sample piece (as of fabric) or a collection of samples

2

: patch entry 1 sense 3

swatches of hair