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

Both players have a swashbuckler spirit.

From BBC

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

Related Words

• adventurer