swan

1 of 3

noun

ˈswän How to pronounce swan (audio)
plural swans
Synonyms of swannext
1
plural also swan : any of various large heavy-bodied long-necked mostly pure white aquatic birds (family Anatidae, especially genus Cygnus) that have webbed feet and are related to but larger than the geese
2
: one that resembles or is likened to a swan
3
Swan : the constellation Cygnus

Illustration of swan

Illustration of swan
  • swan 1

swan

2 of 3

verb (1)

swanned; swanning

intransitive verb

: to wander aimlessly or idly : dally

swan

3 of 3

verb (2)

swanned; swanning

intransitive verb

dialect
: declare, swear

Examples of swan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Edebiri’s look brings to mind musician Bjork’s quite literal interpretation of a swan dress at the 2001 Academy Awards; an outfit cemented in pop culture history as one of the red carpet’s most referenced, albeit campy, moments. — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 The film also draws on the Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo, who compared a human life to a wild swan landing on melting snow, its feet touching both snow and mud. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
Kutsuna has an impish twinkle; Yamada mutely swans about in a daze like an opium fiend. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 Glamorous as ever at 92, Joan Collins swans onto the Cannes red carpet in ruffles and diamonds for the Electric Kiss premiere. — Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for swan

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Middle High German swan and perhaps to Latin sonus sound — more at sound entry 1

Verb (2)

perhaps euphemism for swear

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1942, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1784, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of swan was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing swan

Rhymes for swan

See All Rhymes for swan

Browse Nearby Words

swamy
swan
Swan
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swan. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

swan

noun
ˈswän
plural swans also swan
: any of various large heavy-bodied long-necked usually pure white water birds with webbed feet that are related to but larger than the geese

Geographical Definition

Swan

geographical name

ˈswän How to pronounce Swan (audio)
variants or in its upper course Avon
ˈa-vən How to pronounce Swan (audio)
river about 240 miles (386 kilometers) long in southwestern Western Australia flowing west into the Indian Ocean

More from Merriam-Webster on swan

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for swan

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about swan

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