swank

¹

[ swangk ]

noun

1. dashing smartness, as in dress or appearance; style.
2. a swagger.

adjective

, swank·er, swank·est.

1. stylish or elegant.
2. pretentiously stylish.

verb (used without object)

1. to swagger in behavior; show off.

swank

²

[ swangk ]

verb

1. a simple past tense of swink.

swank

/ swæŋk /

verb

1. intr to show off or swagger

noun

1. Also calledswankpot a swaggering or conceited person
2. elegance or style, esp of a showy kind
3. swagger; ostentation

adjective

1. another word (esp US) for swanky

Word History and Origins

Origin of swank¹

1800–10; compare Scots swank lively, perhaps ultimately representing back formation from Old English swancor lithe; akin to Middle Dutch swanc supple, Middle High German swanken to sway

Word History and Origins

Origin of swank¹

C19: perhaps from Middle High German swanken to sway; see swag

Example Sentences

But he kept his streak of never winning an acting Oscar intact: Morgan Freeman and Hilary Swank would win the supporting actor and lead actress trophies, respectively, while Eastwood had to be content with just being nominated in that category.

From Los Angeles Times

For the title track of her 1991 standards collection, Natalie Cole selected the swank romantic ditty popularized four decades earlier by her father — then cut it as a virtual duet with Nat “King” Cole, who’d died in 1965.

From Los Angeles Times

However, a Times report found it has instead generated billions of dollars’ worth of tax breaks for the wealthy often in pursuit of luxury high-rises, high-end hotels and swank office space.

From Los Angeles Times

He means “Hold the Line,” the band’s hard-riffing breakthrough, and the swank “Rosanna,” which beat Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind” and the theme from “Chariots of Fire” for record of the year at the Grammys.

From Los Angeles Times

“My comfort zone is being outside of my comfort zone,” León said from his shopping-bag-strewn suite at a swank Beverly Hills hotel in California, his girlfriend and team at his side.

From New York Times

Related Words

• chic
• genteel
• mod
• posh
• stylish
• swanky
• trendy
• upscale