swaggeringly
/ˈswæɡ.ər.ɪŋ.li/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈswæɡ.ər.ɪŋ.li/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈswa-gər How to pronounce swagger (audio)/ (ame, mw)
swaggeringly — adverb
1. carrying yourself or walking with such obvious self-importance that other people
carrying yourself or walking with such obvious self-importance that other people feel you believe you are superior to them — typically with a theatrical, showy air of arrogance.
Jessica swaggeringly strolled into the meeting room ten minutes late, pasting a smirk onto her face.
swaggeringly + verb of movement (stroll into)
The young musician moved swaggeringly across the stage, one hand raised to wave at the cheering crowd.
"Of course I finished first," Piotr said swaggeringly, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.
Selim walked swaggeringly through the market, his new leather jacket drawing stares from the stall owners.
- arrogantly
more general; does not imply theatrical showiness or a swaggering gait
- pompously
emphasises self-importance in speech or manner rather than in movement
- struttedly
very rare; 'strut' focuses on the proud walk specifically
文法句型
swaggeringly + verb
verb + swaggeringly
用法筆記
Typically modifies verbs of motion (walk, stroll, strut) or verbs of speaking (say, announce, declare). The adverb layers a tone of arrogant showiness onto the action.
常見錯誤
swaggeringly — verb
- swaggeringlypresent simple I / you / we / they
- swaggeringlies3rd person singular
- swaggeringlying-ing form
- swaggeringliedpast simple
1. to walk or behave with an exaggeratedly proud, confident air, especially in a wa
to walk or behave with an exaggeratedly proud, confident air, especially in a way that annoys other people — for example, a person who holds their shoulders back, lifts their chin, and moves with slow, deliberate steps to show they feel superior.
Rohan swaggered into the cafeteria with his gym bag slung over one shoulder, nodding at nobody in particular.
swagger + into + place (direction)
After winning the championship, Mayumi swaggered around the office all week, repeating the final score to anyone who would listen.
The rooster swaggered across the farmyard, its chest puffed out and its tail feathers held high.
Asher swaggered onto the basketball court, gave the crowd a confident wave, then missed his first three shots.
A group of teenagers swaggered down the high street, laughing loudly and bumping shoulders with passers-by.
文法句型
swagger + into/out of/through/across + place
swagger + adverb of manner
用法筆記
Almost always intransitive. The direction or manner is expressed through a following prepositional phrase (swagger into, swagger out of, swagger across). The subject is typically a person, but animals can be described this way figuratively.
常見錯誤
2. to speak about your own achievements, possessions, or abilities in a loud, proud
to speak about your own achievements, possessions, or abilities in a loud, proud, and often exaggerated way, usually in order to impress or intimidate others.
Jabari swaggered about his new promotion all evening, describing his corner office in unnecessary detail.
swagger + about + noun phrase
At the family dinner, Uncle Ignacio swaggered about how he had talked the car dealer into giving him a discount.
The politician swaggered on national television about the size of the budget surplus as if it were his personal achievement.
The entrepreneur swaggered about the success of his app at every industry conference he attended.
- understate
to describe something as less important than it is
- play down
to try to make something seem less significant
文法句型
swagger + about + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with 'boast' but carries an extra layer of theatrical self-importance in both tone and body language. The person does not merely brag with words — they also carry themselves as if triumphant.
3. to force someone to do something or to make them feel afraid by using arrogant,
to force someone to do something or to make them feel afraid by using arrogant, loud, or threatening behaviour — for example, a manager who uses a raised voice and aggressive body language to push a junior employee into accepting extra work.
The foreman swaggered the new workers into staying late by standing over their benches and glaring.
swagger + object + into + -ing (causative pattern)
Neighbors said the developer tried to swagger the elderly couple into selling their house below market value.
Lakshmi refused to be swaggered into changing her report, even when the client raised his voice and pounded the table.
The older students tried to swagger the new kids into handing over their lunch money every day.
- bully
more direct; does not necessarily imply a swaggering physical manner
- intimidate
broader — can be done quietly or through position of power
- cow
more literary; means to frighten into submission
文法句型
swagger + object + into + -ing
用法筆記
The transitive sense (swagger someone into doing something) is the least common of the three verb senses. It appears more often in British than in American English. The passive construction is also frequent.
常見錯誤
swaggeringly — noun
1. a way of walking that shows exaggerated self-confidence, in which a person moves
a way of walking that shows exaggerated self-confidence, in which a person moves with slow, deliberate steps, holds their shoulders back, and often swings their arms or rocks their body from side to side.
Renata walked down the long hallway with a swagger, her heels clicking confidently on the marble floor.
with a swagger (most common pattern)
The doorman recognised the gangster's swagger before he even saw the man's face through the glass.
There was a noticeable swagger in the dancer's step as she returned to centre stage after her solo.
Wren watched the cowboy's swagger as he crossed the dusty street toward the saloon.
文法句型
with a swagger
a swagger in someone's walk
the swagger of someone
用法筆記
When 'swagger' refers to a gait, it nearly always appears in the phrase 'with a swagger' or 'have a swagger (in one's walk)'. It is uncountable in the abstract but accepts 'a' in the fixed expression 'with a swagger'.
2. a bold, self-assured way of behaving that can strike others as either irritating
a bold, self-assured way of behaving that can strike others as either irritatingly arrogant or admirably charismatic, depending on context — for example, a CEO whose dismissive tone annoys colleagues, or a young athlete who talks big before a match and wins over the crowd.
The young CEO's swagger annoyed the board members, who found his tone dismissive and his ideas half-baked.
Old-timers at the club said the new members had too much swagger and too little grace.
too much swagger (negative judgement)
The rookie quarterback has swagger — he walks onto the field as if he already owns the stadium.
Selim lacks the natural swagger of a born leader, but his careful planning earns him just as much respect.
Jessica carried herself with a swagger that made the other interns nervous about asking her questions.
The film's hero delivers every line with swagger, even when he is outnumbered and unarmed.
Piotr's swagger made his teammates reluctant to share their own ideas during the project meeting.
Mayumi's swagger during the debate annoyed the judges, though nobody could argue with the facts she presented.
- haughtiness
more formal; suggests cold contempt rather than showy pride
- conceit
focuses on a high opinion of oneself rather than on outward behaviour
- confidence
more neutral; does not carry the edge of brashness
- audacity
suggests daring that may be admirable or reckless
文法句型
have swagger
lack swagger
full of swagger
with swagger
用法筆記
This sense extends beyond walking to cover any bold or arrogant conduct — tone of voice, choice of words, attitude toward rules. In business and social settings it is usually disapproving, but in sports and entertainment it can be admiring, describing charismatic self-assurance.
常見錯誤
3. a showy, flashy display of wealth, style, or confidence intended to draw admirat
a showy, flashy display of wealth, style, or confidence intended to draw admiration — for example, arriving at a party in a sports car, wearing expensive jewellery, and making sure everyone notices.
The fashion show had all the swagger of a Hollywood premiere, with flashing cameras and celebrities on every row.
the swagger of + event (pattern)
Hui admired the swagger of old black-and-white movies where gangsters wore sharp suits.
The restaurant's decor relies on a certain swagger, with dark wood, leather booths, and brusque waiters.
The wedding reception had a certain swagger, with crystal chandeliers and a live jazz band.
- ostentation
formal and often disapproving; focuses on the desire to impress
- bravado
emphasises bold, daring behaviour rather than material display
- flashiness
informal; suggests cheap or gaudy showiness
- understatement
the presentation of something in a subtle or restrained way
- subduedness
quietness and lack of showy display
文法句型
swagger of + luxury/goods/display
用法筆記
In this sense 'swagger' describes a quality of things (events, places, styles) rather than people. It suggests bold, confident showiness that the speaker may admire or find excessive.
swaggeringly — adjective
- swaggeringlypositive
- more swaggeringlycomparative
- most swaggeringlysuperlative
1. marked by stylishness, elegance, or a confident sense of fashion — for example,
marked by stylishness, elegance, or a confident sense of fashion — for example, a well-tailored suit that makes the wearer look both expensive and self-assured, or a restaurant whose decor is deliberately eye-catching and luxurious.
Piotr arrived at the gallery opening in a swagger linen jacket that drew compliments from every corner of the room.
swagger (as attributive adjective before noun)
The boutique hotel had a swagger rooftop bar with velvet sofas and a view of the entire city skyline.
Everyone at the wedding agreed that Aunt Renata looked positively swagger in her emerald silk dress.
The magazine called the new sports car the most swagger vehicle of the year.
文法句型
swagger + noun
a swagger + noun
用法筆記
This sense is marked as British informal. It describes things (clothes, venues, cars) rather than people directly — though people can look 'swagger' in an outfit. It is rarer in American English, where 'swanky' or 'posh' would be more typical.