Jump To:

• swan dive
  swan dive

  noun

  a forward dive in which the diver while in the air assumes a position with the arms outstretched at shoulder height and the legs straight and together, and enters the water with the arms stretched above the head.
• swan-dive
  swan-dive

  verb (used without object)

  to perform a swan dive.

swan dive

¹ American  

noun

Diving.

1. a forward dive in which the diver while in the air assumes a position with the arms outstretched at shoulder height and the legs straight and together, and enters the water with the arms stretched above the head.

---

swan-dive ² American  

[swon-dahyv] / ˈswɒnˌdaɪv /

verb (used without object)

swan-dived, swan-diving

1. to perform a swan dive.

2. to decrease suddenly and decisively; plummet.

   Stock prices swan-dived overnight.

---

swan dive British  

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): swallow dive.  a type of dive in which the diver arches back while in the air, keeping his legs straight and together and his arms outstretched, finally entering the water headfirst

---

Etymology

Origin of swan dive

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

After realizing that the status quo can be as perilous as a swan dive into the unknown, she bet on herself and made the leap.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Less fortunately, the table leg made it difficult for me to wheel my chair under it, meaning I had to do a Tom Daley-style swan dive every time I reached for my drink.

From BBC • Aug. 2, 2025

The conditions prompted Diaz to do a swan dive and others to make snow angels, and left maintenance crews at Coors Field hoisting shovels full of hail and working to restore order to the field.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 29, 2023

Springer’s swan dive into TV nihilism seems to have been inspired by another syndicated talk show of the time, hosted by Jenny Jones.

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2023

But then I would see her smile and take a swan dive into her eyes, and the bad moment would be gone.

From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli