swag

¹

[ swag ]

noun

1. a suspended wreath, garland, drapery, or the like, fastened up at or near each end and hanging down in the middle; festoon.
2. a wreath, spray, or cluster of foliage, flowers, or fruit.
3. a festoon, especially one very heavy toward the center.
4. a swale.
5. a swaying or lurching movement.

verb (used without object)

, swagged, swag·ging.

1. to move heavily or unsteadily from side to side or up and down; sway.
2. to hang loosely and heavily; sink down.

verb (used with object)

, swagged, swag·ging.

1. to cause to sway, sink, or sag.
2. to hang or adorn with swags.

swag

²

[ swag ]

noun

1. Slang.
   1. plunder; booty.
   2. money; valuables.
   3. free merchandise distributed as part of the promotion of a product, company, etc.
   4. self-confidence and personal style as shown by one's appearance and demeanor:

      the top ten athletes with the most swag.

   5. schwag ( def 1 ).
2. Australian. a traveler's bundle containing personal belongings, cooking utensils, food, or the like.

adjective

1. Slang. cool; cute; looking great: Check out my swag boyfriend.

   She looks so swag in her new jacket.

   Check out my swag boyfriend.

verb (used without object)

, swagged, swag·ging.

1. Australian. to travel about carrying one's bundle of personal belongings.

SWAG

³

[ swag ]

noun

, Slang.

1. scientific wild-ass guess: a rough, intuitive estimate made on the spur of the moment by an expert.

swag

/ swæɡ /

noun

1. slang.
   property obtained by theft or other illicit means
2. slang.
   goods; valuables
3. an ornamental festoon of fruit, flowers, or drapery or a representation of this
4. a swaying movement; lurch
5. dialect.
   a depression filled with water, resulting from mining subsidence
6. informal.
   (formerly) a swagman's pack containing personal belongings
7. go on the swag informal.
   to become a tramp
8. swags of informal.
   lots of

verb

1. to lurch or sag or cause to lurch or sag
2. tr to adorn or arrange with swags
3. informal.
   intr to tramp about carrying a pack of personal belongings

Word History and Origins

Origin of swag¹

First recorded in 1520–30; perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian svaga, svagga “to sway, rock”

Origin of swag²

First recorded in 1790–1800; special uses of swag ¹

Origin of swag³

First recorded in 1965–70

Word History and Origins

Origin of swag¹

C17: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Norwegian svagga to sway

Example Sentences

Today, the group has more than 600 members and an annual entry fee of $85 that helps cover the expense of T-shirts and other swag, plus discounts for running events, running equipment and, most important, social events.

From Los Angeles Times

If Mike Myers hadn’t created Austin Powers — whose series of films employs this instrumental ditty as a theme — somebody would’ve had to have come up with a similar character just to take advantage of the song’s limitless swag.

From Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles, it turns out, has no shortage of products that would be just as appropriate to find under the holiday tree as in a gifting-suite swag bag.

From Los Angeles Times

“The stuff he can do with the football, but even more than that is just the leadership he brings, the calmness, the swag, the intensity. He’s always right mentally, and it’s just an amazing thing to see.”

From Los Angeles Times

I speak English and I have a different type of swag, and that makes me connect with people here,” Paz said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• festoon