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

Imagine the indie queen going on about swatches and granite, cabinet pulls and grout. —Zach Schiffman, Curbed, 6 June 2025

Coutts has swatches for fabrics, wallpaper and rugs. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025

Before parents turned to Amazon for Halloween costumes, and long prior to Etsy storefronts and YouTube tutorials, there were pattern books, fabric swatches and hours spent learning from a parent or grandparent in the aisles of Jo-Ann Fabrics. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025

Image Image Back in her Michigan studio, Alvarez has created a map of references: color swatches, family photos, an old projector and handwritten notes. —Elly Fishman, New York Times, 22 May 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