swag
/swæɡ/ (bre, ipa) · /swæɡ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈswag How to pronounce swag (audio)/ (ame, mw)
swag — noun
- swagsingular
- swagsplural
1. A bold, self-assured way of walking, dressing, or behaving that makes people not
A bold, self-assured way of walking, dressing, or behaving that makes people notice and admire you.
Maya walked onto the stage with undeniable swag and the crowd cheered.
uncountable: 'undeniable swag' as an attribute
Arjun's swag comes from years of dance training — every move looks effortless.
Priya's outfit gave her all the swag she needed to own the red carpet that night.
Carlos walks with so much swag that people stop and stare when he passes by.
- awkwardness
lack of poise or self-assurance
用法筆記
This modern slang sense emerged from hip-hop culture in the early 2000s. It overlaps with 'swagger' but is slightly shorter and punchier. Unlike 'swagger,' 'swag' is used as a noun only, not as a verb.
常見錯誤
2. Free merchandise handed out to people at conferences, trade shows, or promotiona
Free merchandise handed out to people at conferences, trade shows, or promotional events to advertise a brand or product.
Theo stuffed his backpack with swag from every booth at the tech fair.
collocation: swag from + event
Attendees lined up early for the free swag at the company's launch party.
collocation: free swag
Aiko grabbed a hoodie, a notebook, and a water bottle — all promotional swag from the conference.
Linh left the career fair with a tote bag full of swag from six different companies.
常見錯誤
3. Things that have been taken without permission during a robbery or theft.
Things that have been taken without permission during a robbery or theft.
The thieves hid the swag in an old barn outside the village.
uncountable: 'the swag' as a collective mass
Police tracked the stolen swag to a warehouse in Kofi's neighborhood.
collocation: stolen swag
The gang argued loudly about how to split the swag after the museum heist.
The burglars loaded the swag into a van and drove off before dawn.
用法筆記
This sense originated in 19th-century British criminal slang. It is always uncountable — you cannot say 'a swag' to mean one stolen item.
常見錯誤
4. A collection of valuable items or merchandise obtained through legitimate means
A collection of valuable items or merchandise obtained through legitimate means such as trade, inheritance, or collection.
The museum displayed a swag of ancient coins collected from several dynasties.
pattern: a swag of + valuable items
The collector's swag filled three cabinets in his study, each piece carefully catalogued.
possessive: collector's swag
The merchant locked his swag in an iron strongbox every night before bed.
The entire swag was displayed on velvet cushions at the exhibit opening.
- collection
neutral; items gathered over time without the implication of great monetary value
- treasure
emphasizes high value and preciousness
用法筆記
This sense is distinct from sense 3 (stolen goods) in that the items are obtained through legitimate means like trade or inheritance.
常見錯誤
5. A piece of fabric arranged in decorative folds and hung across the top of a wind
A piece of fabric arranged in decorative folds and hung across the top of a window as part of a curtain setup.
The designer hung a velvet swag above the dining room window for a formal look.
countable: 'a velvet swag' — material + swag
Aiko chose a gold-trimmed swag to match the heavy curtains in the hotel lobby.
The burgundy silk swag with tassels gave the living room an elegant Victorian feel.
- valance
a shorter, straight piece of fabric across the top of a window, usually without the curved draping effect
用法筆記
In interior design, a swag is usually paired with 'cascades' — the vertical side pieces of fabric that hang down on either side of the window.
6. A decorative chain made of flowers, leaves, or fruit, hung in a curved shape as
A decorative chain made of flowers, leaves, or fruit, hung in a curved shape as an ornament for special occasions.
Fresh flower swags hung along the church pews for the wedding ceremony.
countable: 'flower swags' — plural form
Diego wove a swag of eucalyptus leaves and white roses for the garden party.
pattern: swag of + materials
A swag of ivy and fairy lights decorated the entrance to the banquet hall.
常見錯誤
7. A cloth-wrapped bundle of belongings that a traveler on foot carries, historical
A cloth-wrapped bundle of belongings that a traveler on foot carries, historically linked to wandering Australian swagmen.
The old wanderer untied his swag and spread his blanket under the bridge for the night.
countable: 'a swag' / 'his swag'
In Australian folk songs, the swagman carries his swag on his back as he roams the countryside.
cultural context: Australian folklore
Omar tied his few belongings into a small swag and set off toward the mountains.
用法筆記
This sense is strongly tied to Australian English and the historical figure of the swagman. Outside Australia the word is rarely used this way.
swag — verb
- swagpresent simple I / you / we / they
- swags3rd person singular
- swagging-ing form
- swaggedpast simple
1. To move sideways in a rocking or unsteady motion, as if about to fall, often bec
To move sideways in a rocking or unsteady motion, as if about to fall, often because of tiredness, weight, or a rough journey.
The tired hiker swagged under the weight of his heavy backpack on the steep trail.
intransitive: subject + swags + adverbial of cause
After the rough ferry ride, Kofi swagged slightly as he stepped onto the dock.
The drunk man swagged down the street, holding onto walls for balance.
- stand steady
to remain still and balanced
用法筆記
This verb is uncommon in modern English. Most speakers use 'sway' or 'lurch' instead. It appears mainly in literary or descriptive writing.
2. To sink, droop, or bend downward under pressure, weight, or lack of support.
To sink, droop, or bend downward under pressure, weight, or lack of support.
The old fence swagged in the middle where the wire had come loose from the posts.
intransitive: subject + swags + location phrase
Amara's shoulders swagged with exhaustion after the twelve-hour nursing shift.
The wet laundry on the line swagged heavily under the weight of the rainwater.