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

Donations range from small offcuts to swatches to rolls of fabric and even prototype garments. — Bella Webb, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026

As more studios offer scent as a line item in a design proposal, expect pricing to formalize and expect bespoke room blends to appear alongside paint decks and fabric swatches. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026

Like a matador swirling his cape, Patrick Roden-Reynolds pulled a swatch of white flannel this way and that on the grass and leaf litter in my yard. — Bob Drogin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Pre-distressed holes reveal different swatches underneath, and the soles come looking scruffy just like on numerous hits from Vans over the past year or so. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 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