Swede

American  

[sweed] / swid /

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Sweden.

2. (lowercase) a rutabaga.

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swede ¹ British  

/ swiːd /

noun

1. a Eurasian plant, Brassica napus (or B. napobrassica ), cultivated for its bulbous edible root, which is used as a vegetable and as cattle fodder: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)

2. the root of this plant

3. a slang word for head

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Swede ² British  

/ swiːd /

noun

1. a native, citizen, or inhabitant of Sweden

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Etymology

Origin of Swede

1580–90; < Middle Dutch or Middle Low German; cognate with German Schwede; compare Old English Swēon (plural), Old Norse Svēar, Svīar, Medieval Latin Suiōnes

Example Sentences

Until the deal was finalised, the Swede failed to report for pre-season, missed several training sessions and refused to return to Lisbon.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Viktor Gyokeres sealed Arsenal's second successive league win with a 66th-minute strike before the Swede netted again in stoppage time.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

Carlsson, a Swede, is one of four Ducks selected to play in the Winter Games.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2026

The evening began with one of two string quartets by Laura Valborg Aulin, a Swede who died in 1928 and is the sole female classical composer featured at this year’s festival.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

It was determined that Goran Kropp, a young Swede who had ridden a bicycle from Stockholm to Nepal, would make the first attempt, alone, on May 3.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer