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swallow
1[ swol-oh ]
/ ˈswɒl oʊ /
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verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to perform the act of swallowing.
noun
OTHER WORDS FOR swallow
OPPOSITES FOR swallow
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Origin of swallow
1First recorded before 1000; Middle English verb swolwen, swalwen, Old English swelgan; cognate with German schwelgen; akin to Old Norse svelgja; Middle English noun swolwe, swoluh, Old English geswelgh “throat, abyss, whirlpool”; akin to Middle Low German swelch, Old High German swelgo “glutton,” Old Norse svelgr “swirl, whirlpool; devourer”
OTHER WORDS FROM swallow
swal·low·a·ble, adjectiveswal·low·er, nounun·swal·low·a·ble, adjectiveun·swal·lowed, adjectiveWords nearby swallow
swakara, swale, Swaledale, SWALK, swallet, swallow, swallow dive, swallow hole, swallow one's pride, swallow one's words, swallowtail
Other definitions for swallow (2 of 2)
swallow2
[ swol-oh ]
/ ˈswɒl oʊ /
noun
any of numerous small, long-winged passerine birds of the family Hirundinidae, noted for their swift, graceful flight and for the extent and regularity of their migrations.Compare bank swallow, barn swallow, martin.
any of several unrelated, swallowlike birds, as the chimney swift.
Origin of swallow
2First recorded before 900; Middle English swal(e)we, Old English sweal(e)we; cognate with German Schwalbe, Old Norse svala
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use swallow in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for swallow (1 of 2)
swallow1
/ (ˈswɒləʊ) /
verb (mainly tr)
noun
Derived forms of swallow
swallowable, adjectiveswallower, nounWord Origin for swallow
Old English swelgan; related to Old Norse svelga, Old High German swelgan to swallow, Swedish svalg gullet
British Dictionary definitions for swallow (2 of 2)
swallow2
/ (ˈswɒləʊ) /
noun
any passerine songbird of the family Hirundinidae, esp Hirundo rustica (common or barn swallow), having long pointed wings, a forked tail, short legs, and a rapid flightRelated adjective: hirundine
See fairy swallow
Derived forms of swallow
swallow-like, adjectiveWord Origin for swallow
Old English swealwe; related to Old Frisian swale, Old Norse svala, Old High German swalwa
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Other Idioms and Phrases with swallow
swallow
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.