swank

¹ American  

[swangk] / swæŋk /

verb

1. a simple past tense of swink.

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swank ² American  

[swangk] / swæŋk /

noun

1. dashing smartness, as in dress or appearance; style.

2. a swagger.

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adjective

swanker, swankest

1. stylish or elegant.

2. pretentiously stylish.

verb (used without object)

1. to swagger in behavior; show off.

swank British  

/ swæŋk /

verb

1. (intr) to show off or swagger

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noun

1. Also called: swankpot.  a swaggering or conceited person

2. elegance or style, esp of a showy kind

3. swagger; ostentation

adjective

1. another word (esp US) for swanky

Etymology

Origin of swank

1800–10; compare Scots swank lively, perhaps ultimately representing back formation from Old English swancor lithe; akin to Middle Dutch swanc supple, Middle High German swanken to sway

Example Sentences

The 1880s Artillery Officer Quarters, for example, have been restored and brilliantly whitewashed as the swank Capella Hotel.

From The Wall Street Journal

History, here, ultimately overwhelms the new staging in a swank contemporary environment.

From Los Angeles Times

However, a Times report found it has instead generated billions of dollars’ worth of tax breaks for the wealthy often in pursuit of luxury high-rises, high-end hotels and swank office space.

From Los Angeles Times

“My comfort zone is being outside of my comfort zone,” León said from his shopping-bag-strewn suite at a swank Beverly Hills hotel in California, his girlfriend and team at his side.

From New York Times

But the play trades too heavily on the architectural eye candy of its turntable set, which moves from the swank living room to the state-of-the-art kitchen to the upstairs guest bedroom.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chic
• genteel
• mod
• posh
• stylish
• swanky
• trendy
• upscale