swansong

IPA/ˈswɒnsɒŋ/
IPA/ˈswɑːnsɔːŋ/

swansong — noun

1. A final creative work, important performance, or major achievement that marks th

1.名詞B2
釋義

A final creative work, important performance, or major achievement that marks the end of a person's active career, especially in the arts or sports.

例句

Daichi's last symphony is widely regarded as his swansong by music lovers around the world.

passive: be regarded as + possessive + swansong

After fifty sculpting years, Lauren donated her final piece as a swansong to the town gallery.

collocation: as a swansong to [place/people]

同義詞
  • finale

    focuses on the concluding event or part rather than a creative work

  • last hurrah

    informal; describes a final attempt or appearance, often celebratory

  • parting gift

    emphasises the giving aspect; less focused on creative output

反義詞
  • debut

    the first public appearance or work, opposite in timing

文法句型

possessive noun/pronoun + swansong

swansong + of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Unlike the literal myth from which the word originates, this sense focuses on the idea of a final creative output rather than a literal song. The word is strongly associated with the arts and sports.

常見錯誤

❌He wrote his autobiography as a swansong before he turned thirty.
✅He wrote his autobiography as a swansong before he retired from politics.
💡A swansong implies a career-ending or life-ending final work, not just any project completed at a relatively young age.

2. A final public appearance, speech, action, or statement that marks the end of so

2.名詞C1
釋義

A final public appearance, speech, action, or statement that marks the end of someone's involvement in a particular role, career, or activity.

例句

Ramón's conference farewell speech was a heartfelt swansong after thirty years in the field.

swansong after [time period] — describing career span

The retiring news anchor ended her last broadcast with a warm swansong to her viewers.

同義詞
  • farewell

    simpler and more direct; lacks the metaphorical weight of swansong

  • valediction

    formal; refers specifically to a farewell speech or statement

  • send-off

    informal; describes a celebratory departure rather than a final act

文法句型

as a swansong for [person]

possessive + swansong

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (FINAL WORK): this sense emphasises the public event or gesture of farewell itself rather than a creative product. It is often used for speeches, broadcasts, appearances, and ceremonial acts.

常見錯誤

❌The singer's farewell concert was her final work.
✅The singer's farewell concert was her swansong on stage.
💡Use this sense when referring to a live appearance or event, not the recorded product.

3. In ancient European legend, a remarkably beautiful song that a swan is believed

3.名詞C1
釋義

In ancient European legend, a remarkably beautiful song that a swan is believed to sing only once, just before it dies.

例句

In Greek legend, a dying swan sings a beautiful swansong that no person has heard.

mythological context: dying swan + sings + swansong

Ancient poets described the swansong as the most heartbreakingly lovely melody in the world.

同義詞
  • death song

    more general; describes any final song sung before death in various traditions

文法句型

the + swansong + of + swan

possessive + swansong

用法筆記

This is the original literal meaning from which the modern metaphorical senses (1 and 2) developed. It appears almost exclusively in discussions of mythology, classical literature, or poetic references.

常見錯誤

❌We heard a swansong from the lake.
✅According to the ancient myth, the swan sings its swansong only when death is near.
💡The swansong is a legendary concept, not an actual sound a real swan makes.