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

The swatch stayed in Rosengren’s family before being put up for sale at auction in 2014 and purchased by the Gettysburg Museum of History in Pennsylvania. —Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 14 Nov. 2025

These swatches are arranged at different angles to create a sense of chaos, and the pom at the top of the bonnet is replicated as a lace attachment. —Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025

Review fabric swatches in your home’s natural light, and don’t rush measurements. —Matt Emma, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

Apply large swatches on multiple walls and observe them at different times of day, under both natural and artificial light. —Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025

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