Swallow — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈswä-(ˌ)lō/ swal·low

Meaning & Definition of Swallow

Swallow (verb)

  1. to take through the mouth and esophagus into the stomach
  2. to envelop or take in as if by swallowing, absorb
  3. to accept without question, protest, or resentment

Swallow (noun)

  1. the passage connecting the mouth to the stomach
  2. a capacity for swallowing
  3. an act of swallowing
  4. any of numerous small widely distributed oscine birds (family Hirundinidae, the swallow family) that have a short bill, long pointed wings, and often a deeply forked tail and that feed on insects caught on the wing
  5. any of several birds that superficially resemble swallows

Swallow (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to take into the stomach through the mouth and throat

    "try not to swallow the toothpaste"

    similar: down, get down, ingest
    related: drink, guzzle, imbibe, knock back, sip, bolt, devour, gobble (up or down), gulp, ingurgitate, consume, eat, mouth (down), put away, sup, gorge, scarf, scoff, wolf, chew, gnaw (at or on), lap, lick, munch, nibble (on), peck (at), ruminate, dispatch, finish, polish off

  2. to refrain from openly showing or uttering

    "swallowed his pride and asked for help"

    similar: choke (back), hold back, pocket, repress, sink, smother, stifle, strangle, submerge, suppress
    related: control, govern, manage, bridle, check, curb, quash, quell, bottle up, contain, muffle, squelch
    near: express, loose, release, take out, unleash, vent

  3. to regard as right or true

    "my little niece swallows everything I tell her"

    similar: accept, believe, buy, credit, take, trust, set store by
    related: account, accredit, understand, assume, presume, suppose, conclude, deduce, infer
    opposite: disbelieve, discredit, reject
    near: distrust, doubt, misdoubt, mistrust, question, suspect, challenge, dispute

Swallow (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the portion of a serving of a beverage that is swallowed at one time

    "drank the cool refreshing water in two swallows and held out her cup for more"

    similar: belt, draft, drag, drink, gulp, nip, quaff, shot, sip, slug, snort, sup, swig, swill
    related: dram, drop

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Swallow

The most common words with a similar meaning to Swallow:

down, get down, ingest, choke (back), hold back, pocket, repress, sink, smother, stifle, strangle, submerge, suppress, accept, believe, buy, credit, take, trust, set store by, belt, draft, drag, drink, gulp, nip, quaff, shot, sip, slug, snort, sup, swig, swill

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Swallow

Words with the opposite meaning of Swallow:

disbelieve, discredit, reject

Related Words for Swallow

guzzle, imbibe, knock back, bolt, devour, gobble (up or down), ingurgitate, consume, eat, mouth (down), put away, gorge, scarf, scoff, wolf, chew, gnaw (at or on), lap, lick, munch, nibble (on), peck (at), ruminate, dispatch, finish, polish off, control, govern, manage, bridle

Near Antonyms of Swallow

express, loose, release, take out, unleash, vent, distrust, doubt, misdoubt, mistrust, question, suspect, challenge, dispute

Word Forms of Swallow

Inflections: swallowed, swallowing, swallows

Derived words: swallowable (adjective), swallower (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Swallow

Middle English swalowen, from Old English swelgan; akin to Old High German swelgan to swallow

First known use: before 12th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Swallow

Words & Phrases Containing Swallow

barn swallow, cliff swallow, tree swallow, swallowtail

Frequently Asked Questions about Swallow

What does "Swallow" mean?

"Swallow" means to take through the mouth and esophagus into the stomach. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to take through the mouth and esophagus into the stomach. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Swallow"?

Other words for "Swallow" include down, get down, ingest, choke (back), hold back, pocket, repress and sink. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Swallow" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Swallow"?

There are 83 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Swallow". Common alternatives include down, get down, ingest, choke (back), hold back, pocket, repress, sink, smother and stifle.

What is the opposite of "Swallow"?

Antonyms of "Swallow" include disbelieve, discredit and reject. Near antonyms include express, loose, release and take out.

How do you use "Swallow" in a sentence?

Examples of "Swallow" in a sentence: "try not to swallow the toothpaste"; "swallowed his pride and asked for help"; "my little niece swallows everything I tell her".

Is "Swallow" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Swallow" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Swallow" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Swallow" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Swallow"?

"Swallow" is pronounced /ˈswä-(ˌ)lō/ and divided into syllables as swal·low.