swashbuckling
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
-
of or characteristic of a swashbuckler
-
(esp of films in period costume) full of adventure and excitement
Etymology
Origin of swashbuckling
First recorded in 1685–95; swashbuckl(er) + -ing 2, -ing 1
Explanation
Going on bold, exciting, and exotic adventures is swashbuckling. The stories of the heroic outlaw Robin Hood involve a lot of swashbuckling. You can use swashbuckling as a noun or an adjective, so you might dress up as the swashbuckling Inigo Montoya from the movie The Princess Bride, or try to convince your friends to watch a movie full of adventure and swashbuckling. Swashbuckler came first, a 16th-century name for a swaggering fighter. Earlier, such a character was simply called a swash, which also meant "fall of a blow."
Vocabulary lists containing swashbuckling
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.
Coach John Mitchell has sold the scorelines as evidence of a new, swashbuckling style and a willingness to slug it out toe to toe with the world.
From BBC • May 16, 2026
For one thing, the swashbuckling hero of “Scarborn,” which is happy movie news.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026
I always wanted to be a swashbuckling, sword-fighting Robin Hood.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026
Abhishek Sharma has replaced Rohit in the role of fearless opener, with the swashbuckling batsman scoring at a punishing strike rate of more than 194.
From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026
A swashbuckling adventurer wearing armor and a winged helmet stood with a glowing blue sword raised over his head, preparing to strike a troll cowering before him.
From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
