Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

swanky

American  
[swang-kee] / ˈswæŋ ki /

adjective

swankier, swankiest
  1. elegant or ostentatious; swank. swink.

    Synonyms:
    fashionable, smart, chic, stylish

swanky British  
/ ˈswæŋkɪ /

adjective

  1. expensive and showy; stylish

    a swanky hotel

  2. boastful or conceited

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does swanky mean? Swanky means fancy, stylish, or classy, especially in a showy or expensive way. It is often used informally.Swanky can refer to something that is ostentatious (over the top) or something that is very elegant. Either way, the unifying element is fanciness.Example: Anna doesn’t usually get a chance to eat at fancy restaurants, so she really enjoyed the gourmet food at the swanky office party.

Other Word Forms

  • swankily adverb
  • swankiness noun

Etymology

Origin of swanky

First recorded in 1835–45; swank 1 + -y 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Page Six, citing a fire department spokesman, reported that O'Hara was rushed to hospital before dawn from her home in the swanky Brentwood area of Los Angeles.

From Barron's

Irsay, a larger-than-life billionaire who inherited the Colts from his father Robert and oversaw the franchise for decades, was found dead in the swanky Beverly Hills Hotel last May.

From Barron's

We met in a cozy bar at the Crockfords, one of the swankiest luxury hotels on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip.

From Los Angeles Times

“Ten years ago, this would maybe have been a dream, what’s happening now,” she says, gesturing at her swanky surroundings.

From Los Angeles Times

At the Armoni Inn & Suites, rooms boast modern appliances and glossy wood furniture, while a chandelier hovers in the foyer near a swanky sitting area.

From The Wall Street Journal