swain

American  

[sweyn] / sweɪn /

noun

1. a male admirer or lover.

2. a country lad.

3. a country gallant.

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swain British  

/ sweɪn /

noun

1. a male lover or admirer

2. a country youth

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Other Word Forms

• swainish adjective
• swainishness noun
• underswain noun

Etymology

Origin of swain

before 1150; Middle English swein servant < Old Norse sveinn boy, servant; cognate with Old English swān

Example Sentences

It is Elizabeth, not her equally eccentric and stubborn swain, who refuses to wed “because I can’t risk having my scientific contributions submerged beneath your name.”

From Washington Post

When her earlier swain returns from the war, he goes on a regretful bender, but then he, too, settles for someone else.

From The Guardian

John Mayer — one of her increasingly famous short-term swains — said he was “humiliated” by her song “Dear John.”

From Washington Post

Like a handsome but withholding swain, Elba draws us back to “Luther” time and again.

From Salon

The performers are often Bambi-eyed maidens and clean-cut swains who have not necessarily been recruited for their vocal gifts.

From The New Yorker