swerve

[swurv]

verb (used without object)

swerved, swerving 

1. to turn aside abruptly in movement or direction; deviate suddenly from the straight or direct course.

verb (used with object)

swerved, swerving 

1. to cause to turn aside.

   Nothing could swerve him.

noun

1. an act of swerving; turning aside.

swerve

/ swɜːv /

verb

1. to turn or cause to turn aside, usually sharply or suddenly, from a course

2. (tr) to avoid (a person or event)

noun

1. the act, instance, or degree of swerving

Other Word Forms

• swerver noun
• swervable adjective
• unswerved adjective
• unswerving adjective
• unswervingly adverb
• unswervingness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of swerve¹

1175–1225; Middle English swerven (v.); Old English sweorfan to rub, file; cognate with Dutch zwerven to rove, Old High German swerban, Old Norse sverfa to file, Gothic afswairban to wipe off

Word History and Origins

Origin of swerve¹

Old English sweorfan to scour; related to Old High German swerban to wipe off, Gothic afswairban to wipe off, Old Norse sverfa to file

Synonym Study

See deviate.

Example Sentences

The woman in the other car, in her early seventies, had a medical episode while driving and swerved straight into my lane and hit me.

From BBC

This is why, for example, an officer may pull over a motorist whose car has swerved on the highway.

From Los Angeles Times

And the same thing happened when he misjudged the exit of the 180mph+ swerves at Eau Rouge and went slightly outside track limits in qualifying for the grand prix.

From BBC

In a video obtained by KTLA5, a man later identified as Tackett was seen driving a white work van and swerving into the lane of the driver, who was taking the video.

From Los Angeles Times

Tech news outlet TechCrunch said cars were also seen speeding and swerving into the wrong lane.

From BBC

Related Words

• deflect 
• lurch 
• skid 
• stray 
• veer