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View synonyms for

swish

[ swish ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to move with or make a sibilant sound, as a slender rod cutting sharply through the air or as small waves washing on the shore.
  2. to rustle, as silk.
  3. to move or behave in an exaggeratedly effeminate manner.


verb (used with object)

  1. to flourish, whisk, etc., with a swishing movement or sound:

    to swish a cane.

  2. to bring, take, cut, etc., with such a movement or sound:

    to swish off the tops of plants with a cane.

  3. to flog or whip.

noun

  1. a swishing movement or sound.
  2. a stock or rod for flogging or a stroke with this.
  3. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to an effeminate gay man.

adjective

  1. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. swishy ( def 2 ).
  2. Chiefly British Informal. stylishly elegant; fashionable.

swish

/ ɪʃ /

verb

  1. to move with or make or cause to move with or make a whistling or hissing sound
  2. intr (esp of fabrics) to rustle
  3. slang.
    tr to whip; flog
  4. trfoll byoff to cut with a swishing blow
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a hissing or rustling sound or movement
  2. a rod for flogging or a blow from such a rod
  3. slang.
    an effeminate male homosexual
  4. a W African building material composed of mortar and mud or laterite, or more recently of cement and earth
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. informal.
    fashionable; smart
  2. slang.
    effeminate and homosexual
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈɾ󾱲Բ, adjective
  • ˈɾ, noun
  • ˈɾ󾱲Բly, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • ɾ· noun
  • ɾ·Բ· adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of swish1

First recorded in 1750–60; imitative
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Word History and Origins

Origin of swish1

C18: of imitative origin
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It’s believed that there are now more than 100 baby trout swishing around their new digs in Arroyo Hondo Creek in Santa Barbara County.

From

As it swished, he pounded his chest, knowing he’d guaranteed the Trojans at least one more day at the end of an otherwise frustrating season with a 97-89 win over Rutgers.

From

They see him swishing shots from astonishing distance.

From

You could have kicked aside some of the debris, taken a shot and listened for the swish.

From

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Dylan Andrews exhaled, took two dribbles, spun the ball and swished the free throw.

From

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