swish

American  

[swish] / swɪʃ /

verb (used without object)

1. to move with or make a sibilant sound, as a slender rod cutting sharply through the air or as small waves washing on the shore.

2. to rustle, as silk.

3. to move or behave in an exaggeratedly effeminate manner.

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verb (used with object)

1. to flourish, whisk, etc., with a swishing movement or sound.

   to swish a cane.

2. to bring, take, cut, etc., with such a movement or sound.

   to swish off the tops of plants with a cane.

3. to flog or whip.

noun

1. a swishing movement or sound.

2. a stock or rod for flogging or a stroke with this.

3. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to an effeminate gay man.

adjective

1. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. swishy.

2. Chiefly British Informal. stylishly elegant; fashionable.

swish British  

/ swɪʃ /

verb

1. to move with or make or cause to move with or make a whistling or hissing sound

2. (intr) (esp of fabrics) to rustle

3. slang (tr) to whip; flog

4. to cut with a swishing blow

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noun

1. a hissing or rustling sound or movement

2. a rod for flogging or a blow from such a rod

3. slang an effeminate male homosexual

4. a W African building material composed of mortar and mud or laterite, or more recently of cement and earth

adjective

1. informal fashionable; smart

2. slang effeminate and homosexual

Other Word Forms

• swisher noun
• swishing adjective
• swishingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of swish

First recorded in 1750–60; imitative

Example Sentences

His old tail was really making a racket as it swished back and forth in the corn shucks.

From Literature

Lots of room for Nim to float and somersault and stand on her hands, and for Fred to dash and dive and for Selkie to swish splash the water through the Keyhole Rock.

From Literature

He swished the first of two attempts at the foul line, then calmly hit the second to end the first-to-25 points finale.

From Los Angeles Times

Mom used to greet party guests with glasses of champagne, her satin cocktail dress swishing above her knees and her high heels clicking against the wood floor.

From Literature

Auntie North led them through the busy crowds, her long skirt swishing around her ankles.

From Literature