swashbuckler

[ swosh-buhk-ler, swawsh- ]

noun

1. a swaggering swordsman, soldier, or adventurer; daredevil.

swashbuckler

/ ˈswɒʃˌbʌklə /

noun

1. a swaggering or flamboyant adventurer
2. a film, book, play, etc, depicting excitement and adventure, esp in a historical setting

Word History and Origins

Origin of swashbuckler¹

First recorded in 1550–60; swash + buckler

Word History and Origins

Origin of swashbuckler¹

C16: from swash (in the archaic sense: to make the noise of a sword striking a shield) + buckler

Example Sentences

A hero, an ace swashbuckler and an expert marksmen, no one ever wonders if Link is too delicate to save the magical kingdom of Hyrule.

From Los Angeles Times

It was perhaps an odd choice for a high-fantasy swashbuckler set in ancient Persia.

From New York Times

He had a bit of swashbuckler in him, more like an astronaut than a desk engineer.

From Seattle Times

Pork Filled Productions, which focuses on providing a platform for Asian American artists, seemingly never met a genre it wasn’t willing to explore, from seafaring swashbuckler to steampunk Western.

From Seattle Times

Intentional or not, there were more similarities between the masked swashbuckler and the shortstop from Havana besides consonants and vowels.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adventurer