swanky

IPA/ˈswæŋki/
KK[swˈɑŋki]IPA/ˈswæŋki/

swanky — adjective

  • swankypositive
  • swankiercomparative
  • swankiestsuperlative

1. talking about a hotel, car, outfit, or similar thing that strikes you as both co

1.形容詞B2
釋義

talking about a hotel, car, outfit, or similar thing that strikes you as both costly and stylish — but with a hint that the owner chose it partly to show off and win admiration.

例句

Talia booked a room at a swanky hotel in downtown Seoul for her birthday.

swanky + hotel / restaurant / club

The restaurant's swanky interior had crystal chandeliers and marble floors.

同義詞
  • posh

    stronger British English flavour; more about upper-class elegance than showiness

  • flashy

    more negative than swanky; suggests cheap or gaudy display

  • luxurious

    neutral and positive; focuses on comfort and high quality rather than showing off

  • ritzy

    informal, similar tone; derived from the Ritz hotels, implies expense and exclusivity

反義詞
  • shabby

    in poor condition, worn out

  • modest

    simple and unpretentious, not trying to impress

文法句型

swanky + noun (hotel, restaurant, suit, car)

be/look/seem + swanky

用法筆記

Frequently used to describe places (hotels, restaurants, clubs), cars, clothing, and neighbourhoods. The tone is mildly critical — it suggests the owner is trying too hard to impress.

常見錯誤

❌Their apartment was very swanky, with expensive furniture.
✅Their apartment was very luxurious, with expensive furniture.
💡'swanky' adds a hint of showiness; use 'luxurious' when you mean simply comfortable and high-end without the showing-off tone.
❌She wore a swanky dress to the wedding.
✅She wore an elegant dress to the wedding.
💡'swanky' suggests flashy rather than classy; for positive compliments about wedding attire, 'elegant' is more appropriate.

2. behaving or speaking in a way that shows too much self-confidence, coming across

2.形容詞C1
釋義

behaving or speaking in a way that shows too much self-confidence, coming across as arrogant or full of yourself.

例句

The new manager came across as swanky and refused to listen to anyone's advice.

swanky describing arrogant behaviour

Iker's swanky attitude at the party made him unpopular with the other guests.

swanky + attitude / behaviour / manner

同義詞
  • arrogant

    more common and stronger; suggests a clear sense of superiority over others

  • cocky

    informal, similar tone; suggests youthful or playful overconfidence

  • conceited

    focuses on thinking too highly of oneself rather than showing off behaviour

反義詞
  • humble

    modest about one's own abilities or worth

  • modest

    does not boast or show off

文法句型

be/seem + swanky

swanky + behaviour / attitude / manner

用法筆記

This sense is much less common than sense 1. It almost always describes a person's general way of acting, not a single action. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 applies to people and their behaviour, while sense 1 applies to objects, places, and experiences.

常見錯誤

❌He felt swanky after getting a promotion.
✅He felt full of himself after getting a promotion.
💡'swanky' describes an observable style of behaviour, not an internal feeling of pride.