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

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

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

The club’s energetic brand and community department made a priority of recruiting restaurants across Southern California to show the team’s games, showering them with club swag if they did.

From Los Angeles Times

“I thought he did a great job of breaking off man coverage and then be able to have the swag to flip in was pretty cool.”

From Los Angeles Times

“We got our mojo back, got our swag back,” Becker said after connecting on his first seven throws and 10 of 13 over the first two quarters.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• festoon