Definition of swish
intransitive verb
: to move, pass, swing, or whirl with the sound of a swish
transitive verb
1 : to move, cut, or strike with a swish the horse swished its tail
2 : to make (a basketball shot) so that the ball falls through the rim without touching it swished a 3-point jumper
swisher
nounIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Examples of swish in a Sentence
He watched as the windshield wipers swished back and forth.
The horse's tail swished back and forth.
The horse swished its tail back and forth.
Origin and Etymology of swish
imitative
First Known Use: 1756
swish
Definition of swish
1a : a prolonged hissing sound (as of a whip cutting the air)b : a light sweeping or brushing sound
2 : a swishing movement
3 slang, usually disparaging + offensive : an effeminate homosexual
Examples of swish in a Sentence
the steady swish of the windshield wipers
the mare brushed away the flies with a sweeping swish of her tail
1820
First Known Use of swish
1820
Examples of swish in a Sentence
a trendy boutique filled with swish accessories for the urban fashionista
Origin and Etymology of swish
origin unknown
First Known Use: 1766
SWISH Defined for English Language Learners
swish
playDefinition of swish for English Language Learners
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: to move with or cause (something) to move with a soft sweeping or brushing sound
swish
Definition of swish for English Language Learners
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: fashionable and expensive
SWISH Defined for Kids
Definition of swish for Students
swished
;swishing
: to make, move, or strike with a soft sweeping or brushing sound The horse swished its tail.
Definition of swish for Students
1 : a soft sweeping or brushing sound
2 : a movement that produces a sweeping or brushing sound
Learn More about swish
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See words that rhyme with swish Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for swish Spanish Central: Translation of swish Nglish: Translation of swish for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of swish for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about swish
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