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.
   go on the swag to become a tramp
8. swags of informal.
   swags of 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

Particularly “exclusivity” and a “swag-like experience” that audiences can take with them to help increase the likelihood of ticket sales by giving them something that feels substantial.

From Digiday

I told him we had a swag room and asked whether he’d like some swag.

From Ozy

TechCrunch still brings the fun to Disrupt 2020 — Disrupt may be virtual this year, but we’re still making time for levity, swag and kick-ass entertainment.

From TechCrunch

We refuse to host virtual conference without providing time for levity, swag and kick-ass entertainment.

From TechCrunch

People can acquire the virtual “swag” by scanning QR codes associated with the designs through the Nintendo Switch Online app.

From Fortune

Sneaker and clothing brands routinely dole out buckets of dough to drape their swag over popular cultural characters.

From The Daily Beast

Ultimately, though, “his dad rented it to us for $500… I need to send him a package of swag.”

From The Daily Beast

In the Rand Paul Swag store, there are sections for women and children—but they do not feature any products.

From The Daily Beast

“Ron Paul Swag, which is what Rand Paul Swag will kind of become, sold everything,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

Neither Rand Paul nor his PAC are associated with Rand Paul Swag, and the proceeds do not go to support the would-be candidate.

From The Daily Beast

Next they held a council of war, the grand object of which was to hit upon some plan of robbing the friends of their new swag.

From Project Gutenberg

It is watched for me night and day, and if our swag was in the Bank of England it wouldn't be safer than it is.

From Project Gutenberg

They put these things together and conjectured at once that the men had now their swag about them in one form or other.

From Project Gutenberg

Suppose I show you how to make those two run out of their tent like two frightened women, and never once think about their swag?

From Project Gutenberg

But he and mephistopheles joined a company of successful diggers going down with their swag.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• festoon