Swank — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective noun /ˈswaŋk/

Meaning & Definition of Swank

Swank (verb)

  1. show off, swagger; also, boast

Swank (adjective)

  1. full of life or energy, active
  2. characterized by showy display, ostentatious
  3. fashionably elegant, smart

Swank (noun)

  1. arrogance or ostentation of dress or manner, pretentiousness, swagger
  2. elegance, fashionableness

Swank (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. excessive or unnecessary display

    "service that is the essence of swank: the waiters pull out your chair for you and even place your napkin on your lap"

    similar: flamboyance, flash, flashiness, garishness, gaudiness, glitz, ostentation, ostentatiousness, pretentiousness, showiness
    related: pretense, éclat, extravaganza, mummery, pageant, parade, show, dazzle, fanfare, foofaraw, pageantry, pomp, razzle-dazzle, razzmatazz, spectacle, adornment, decoration, dressing, embellishment, garnishment, ornamentation, trimming, extravagance, fanciness, luxuriance, luxuriousness, magnificence, opulence, richness, sumptuousness, luridness, meretriciousness, tawdriness, vulgarity
    opposite: austerity, plainness, severity
    near: conservativeness, moderation, modesty, restraint, simplicity, understatement, elegance, gracefulness, tastefulness, minimalism

Swank (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. excessively showy

    "drove up in a red sports car, the swank interior of which was decorated in silver and black"

    similar: flamboyant, flaring, flashy, garish, gaudy, glitzy, loud, noisy, ostentatious, razzle-dazzle, splashy
    related: excessive, extravagant, fulsome, hammy, overdone, over-the-top, overwrought, pretentious, baroque, bedizened, ornate, fancy, snazzy, zooty, blaring, bright, florid, glaring, glittery, overbright, spectacular, graceless, inelegant, lurid, tacky, tasteless, tawdry, tinselly, vulgar
    opposite: conservative, quiet, understated, unflamboyant, unflashy
    near: appropriate, fitting, proper, inconspicuous, muted, restrained, subdued, toned (down), unobtrusive, elegant, graceful, tasteful, modest, plain, simple, unpretentious

Swank (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in boast, brag

    similar: boast, brag, crow, gasconade, swagger, swash, vapor, vaunt, flatter, pique, plume, pride, congratulate, felicitate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Swank

The most common words with a similar meaning to Swank:

flamboyance, flash, flashiness, garishness, gaudiness, glitz, ostentation, ostentatiousness, pretentiousness, showiness, flamboyant, flaring, flashy, garish, gaudy, glitzy, loud, noisy, ostentatious, razzle-dazzle, splashy, boast, brag, crow, gasconade, swagger, swash, vapor, vaunt, flatter, pique, plume, pride, congratulate, felicitate

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Swank

Words with the opposite meaning of Swank:

austerity, plainness, severity, conservative, quiet, understated, unflamboyant, unflashy

Related Words for Swank

pretense, éclat, extravaganza, mummery, pageant, parade, show, dazzle, fanfare, foofaraw, pageantry, pomp, razzmatazz, spectacle, adornment, decoration, dressing, embellishment, garnishment, ornamentation, trimming, extravagance, fanciness, luxuriance, luxuriousness, magnificence, opulence, richness, sumptuousness, luridness

Near Antonyms of Swank

conservativeness, moderation, modesty, restraint, simplicity, understatement, elegance, gracefulness, tastefulness, minimalism, appropriate, fitting, proper, inconspicuous, muted, restrained, subdued, toned (down), unobtrusive, elegant, graceful, tasteful, modest, plain, simple, unpretentious

Word Forms of Swank

Inflections: swanked, swanking, swanks, swanker, swankier, swankiest

Derived words: swankily (adverb), swankiness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Swank

perhaps akin to Middle High German swanken to sway; akin to Middle Dutch swanc supple

First known use: 1708

Frequently Asked Questions about Swank

What does "Swank" mean?

"Swank" means show off, swagger; also, boast. As an a verb, an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: show off, swagger; also, boast. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Swank"?

Other words for "Swank" include flamboyance, flash, flashiness, garishness, gaudiness, glitz, ostentation and ostentatiousness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Swank" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Swank"?

There are 97 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Swank". Common alternatives include flamboyance, flash, flashiness, garishness, gaudiness, glitz, ostentation, ostentatiousness, pretentiousness and showiness.

What is the opposite of "Swank"?

Antonyms of "Swank" include austerity, plainness, severity, conservative, quiet, understated, unflamboyant and unflashy. Near antonyms include conservativeness, moderation, modesty and restraint.

How do you use "Swank" in a sentence?

Examples of "Swank" in a sentence: "service that is the essence of swank: the waiters pull out your chair for you and even place your napkin on your lap"; "drove up in a red sports car, the swank interior of which was decorated in silver and black".

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

"Swank" can be used as a verb, an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Swank"?

"Swank" is pronounced /ˈswaŋk/.

What is the origin of the word "Swank"?

"Swank" comes from perhaps akin to Middle High German swanken to sway; akin to Middle Dutch swanc supple. First known use: 1708.