swag

¹

[swag]

noun

1. a suspended wreath, garland, drapery, or the like, fastened up at or near each end and hanging down in the middle; festoon.

2. a wreath, spray, or cluster of foliage, flowers, or fruit.

3. a festoon, especially one very heavy toward the center.

4. a swale.

5. a swaying or lurching movement.

verb (used without object)

swagged, swagging 

1. to move heavily or unsteadily from side to side or up and down; sway.

2. to hang loosely and heavily; sink down.

verb (used with object)

swagged, swagging 

1. to cause to sway, sink, or sag.

2. to hang or adorn with swags.

swag

²

Also sweg

[swag]

noun

1. Slang.

   1. plunder; booty.

   2. money; valuables.

   3. free merchandise distributed as part of the promotion of a product, company, etc.

   4. self-confidence and personal style as shown by one's appearance and demeanor.

      the top ten athletes with the most swag.

   5. schwag.

2. Australian.,  a traveler's bundle containing personal belongings, cooking utensils, food, or the like.

adjective

1. Slang.,  cool; cute; looking great: Check out my swag boyfriend.

   She looks so swag in her new jacket.

   Check out my swag boyfriend.

verb (used without object)

swagged, swagging 

1. Australian.,  to travel about carrying one's bundle of personal belongings.

SWAG

³

[swag]

noun

Slang.

1. scientific wild-ass guess: a rough, intuitive estimate made on the spur of the moment by an expert.

swag

/ swæɡ /

noun

1. slang,  property obtained by theft or other illicit means

2. slang,  goods; valuables

3. an ornamental festoon of fruit, flowers, or drapery or a representation of this

4. a swaying movement; lurch

5. dialect,  a depression filled with water, resulting from mining subsidence

6. informal,  (formerly) a swagman's pack containing personal belongings

7. informal,  to become a tramp

8. informal,  lots of

verb

1. to lurch or sag or cause to lurch or sag

2. (tr) to adorn or arrange with swags

3. informal,  (intr) to tramp about carrying a pack of personal belongings

Word History and Origins

Origin of swag¹

First recorded in 1520–30; perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian svaga, svagga “to sway, rock”

Origin of swag²

First recorded in 1790–1800; special uses of swag ¹

Origin of swag³

First recorded in 1965–70

Word History and Origins

Origin of swag¹

C17: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Norwegian svagga to _sway

Example Sentences

Dude, it brought the word “swag” back within, like, a week.

From Los Angeles Times

“He had a pair of Cartier glasses, that Detroit swag and a confidence,” Wilkins said.

From Los Angeles Times

Its title appears to hark back to the singer's 2012 hit Boyfriend, featuring the line "swag, swag, swag, on you".

From BBC

By January, Musk had transitioned to lieutenant, making up DOGE, complete with cringey swag, like a lonely preteen dreaming up a secret club in his tree house.

From Los Angeles Times

At Washington's Freedom Plaza, a makeshift field day took place, where children enjoyed free swag, food and activities.

From Salon

Related Words

• festoon