swagger

American  

[swag-er] / ˈswæg ər /

verb (used without object)

1. to walk or strut with a defiant or insolent air.

2. to boast or brag noisily.

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verb (used with object)

1. to bring, drive, force, etc., by blustering.

noun

1. swaggering manner, conduct, or walk; ostentatious display of arrogance and conceit.

swagger ¹ British  

/ ˈswæɡə /

verb

1. (intr) to walk or behave in an arrogant manner

2. to brag loudly

3. rare (tr) to force, influence, etc, by blustering

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noun

1. arrogant gait, conduct, or manner

adjective

1. informal elegantly fashionable

swagger ² British  

/ ˈswæɡə, ˈswæɡɪ /

noun

1. other names for swagman

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Related Words

See strut ¹.

Other Word Forms

• outswagger verb (used with object)
• swaggerer noun
• swaggering adjective
• swaggeringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of swagger

First recorded in 1580–90; swag ¹ + -er ⁶

Example Sentences

Far-right media personalities are adept at commanding attention with showmanship and swagger.

From Salon

Greg is the best-selling author of a series of airport novels featuring a swaggering hero called Rooster.

From Los Angeles Times

The neat partings in their hair, the clicks of their heels, the confident swagger they had.

From Literature

American Girls possesses a cheeky swagger that'll sound immense at his record-breaking Wembley Stadium residency this summer.

From BBC

The LP’s excellent guitar work and soft, swaggering vocals remain compelling.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bluster
• gloat
• prance
• sashay
• saunter
• strut