swoop

1 of 2

verb

ˈswüp 

swooped; swooping; swoops

intransitive verb

: to move with a sweep

transitive verb

: to gain or carry off in or as if in a swoop

—usually used with up

swooper noun

swoop

2 of 2

noun

1

: an act or instance of swooping

2

: a single concentrated and quickly effective effort

was done in one swoop

—often used with fell

solved everything at one fell swoop

Examples of swoop in a Sentence

Verb

The police swooped in and captured the criminals.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Singer, rapper, and actress Shayna McHale (also known as Junglepussy) peeked out from under a single luminous, face-framing curl, which gathered above her graphite gown’s swooping ruffled details. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026

With 52 seconds left, Northfield junior Paris Taylor swooped in for an offensive rebound and a put-back, trimming the Falcons’ lead to 49-47. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2026

Noun

Make some swoops and swirls on the top with the back of a spoon, then decorate with sprinkles and add the candles. —Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 17 Mar. 2026

That wispiness is reiterated in her updo's loose ends atop her head, which hosts a knot that comes together with a curtain-like swoop on either side of her middle part. —Marci Robin, Allure, 15 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of Middle English swopen to sweep, from Old English swāpan — more at sweep

First Known Use

Verb

1566, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing swoop

• in/at one fell swoop

Rhymes for swoop

• coop
• coupe
• croup
• droop
• drupe
• dupe
• group
• hoop
• loop
• lupe
• oop
• poop

Kids Definition

swoop

1 of 2 verb

ˈswüp 

: to dive or pounce suddenly like a hawk on its prey

swoop

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or instance of swooping

2

: a single quickly effective effort

—often used with fell

solved everything at one fell swoop