swashbuckler

Sometimes swash·er

[swosh-buhk-ler, swawsh-]

noun

1. a swaggering swordsman, soldier, or adventurer; daredevil.

swashbuckler

/ ˈswɒʃˌbʌklə /

noun

1. a swaggering or flamboyant adventurer

2. a film, book, play, etc, depicting excitement and adventure, esp in a historical setting

Word History and Origins

Origin of swashbuckler¹

First recorded in 1550–60; swash + buckler

Word History and Origins

Origin of swashbuckler¹

C16: from _swash (in the archaic sense: to make the noise of a sword striking a shield) + _buckler

Example Sentences

Penelope looked around but saw only moss, trees, and some lovely specimens of the common but ruggedly attractive swashbuckler fern, with its long, swordlike fronds and thick stems that were sturdy as peg legs.

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Early in his career, he realized, “I would’ve loved this job when I was 10. I’m getting paid to be a swashbuckler. … This is the joyousness of youth.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A hero, an ace swashbuckler and an expert marksmen, no one ever wonders if Link is too delicate to save the magical kingdom of Hyrule.

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It was perhaps an odd choice for a high-fantasy swashbuckler set in ancient Persia.

Read more on New York Times

He had a bit of swashbuckler in him, more like an astronaut than a desk engineer.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• adventurer