Swish — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun adjective /ˈswish/

Meaning & Definition of Swish

Swish (verb)

  1. to move, pass, swing, or whirl with the sound of a swish
  2. to move, cut, or strike with a swish
  3. to make (a basketball shot) so that the ball falls through the rim without touching it

Swish (noun)

  1. a prolonged hissing sound (as of a whip cutting the air)
  2. a light sweeping or brushing sound
  3. a swishing movement

Swish (adjective)

  1. smart, fashionable

Swish (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a sound similar to the speech sound \s\ stretched out

    "the steady swish of the windshield wipers"

    similar: fizz, hiss, sizzle, whish, whiz
    related: swoosh, wheeze, whistle, whoosh, zip, sibilance, sibilant

  2. a quick jerky movement from side to side or up and down

    "the mare brushed away the flies with a sweeping swish of her tail"

    similar: switch, wag, waggle, whisk
    related: oscillation, rock, sway, swing, waver, flap, flutter, wave, whip, flick, jerk, jolt, snap, twitch, jiggle, shake, wiggle, bob, nod

Swish (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make a sound like that of stretching out the speech sound \s\

    "with their satin costumes swishing, the little ballerinas chasséd onto the stage"

    similar: fizz, fizzle, hiss, sizzle, whish, whiz
    related: swoosh, wheeze, whistle, whoosh, zip, bubble, effervesce, buzz, drone, hum

  2. to move from side to side or up and down with quick jerky motions

    "the horse's tail swishes after every jump"

    similar: switch, wag, waggle
    related: oscillate, rock, sway, swing, waver, beat, flail, flap, flop, lash, whip, flick, flicker, flutter, wave, jerk, jolt, jig, jiggle, joggle, shake, twitch, wiggle, bob, jog, nod

Swish (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being in the latest or current fashion

    "a trendy boutique filled with swish accessories for the urban fashionista"

    similar: à la mode, au courant, chic, cool (slang), exclusive, fashionable, fresh (slang), happening, hip, in, modish, sharp, smart, snappy, stylish, supercool, swell, trendy, voguish
    related: downtown, edgy, funky, dapper, dashing, dressy, kicky, natty, rakish, sassy, saucy, spiffy, spruce, chichi, classy, flossy, haute, nobby, posh, ritzy, soigné, swank, elegant, graceful, handsome, majestic, refined, sophisticated, stately, tasteful, understated, doggish, doggy, flashy, gallant, dandyish, dudish, foppish, ultrachic, ultracool, ultrahip, ultraposh, ultrasmart, ultrasophisticated
    opposite: dowdy, out, outmoded, styleless, unchic, uncool, unfashionable, unmodish, unstylish
    near: cheesy, tacky, unattractive, unbecoming, graceless, inelegant, tasteless, trashy, unhandsome, frowsy, sloppy, slovenly, unkempt, untidy, disheveled, messy, mussy, rumpled, wrinkled, shabby, sleazy

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Swish

The most common words with a similar meaning to Swish:

Slang: cool, fresh
fizz, hiss, sizzle, whish, whiz, switch, wag, waggle, whisk, fizzle, à la mode, au courant, chic, exclusive, fashionable, happening, hip, in, modish, sharp, smart, snappy, stylish, supercool, swell, trendy, voguish

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Swish

Words with the opposite meaning of Swish:

dowdy, out, outmoded, styleless, unchic, uncool, unfashionable, unmodish, unstylish

Related Words for Swish

swoosh, wheeze, whistle, whoosh, zip, sibilance, sibilant, oscillation, rock, sway, swing, waver, flap, flutter, wave, whip, flick, jerk, jolt, snap, twitch, jiggle, shake, wiggle, bob, nod, bubble, effervesce, buzz, drone

Near Antonyms of Swish

cheesy, tacky, unattractive, unbecoming, graceless, inelegant, tasteless, trashy, unhandsome, frowsy, sloppy, slovenly, unkempt, untidy, disheveled, messy, mussy, rumpled, wrinkled, shabby, sleazy

Word Forms of Swish

Inflections: swished, swishing, swishes

Derived words: swisher (noun), swishingly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Swish

imitative

First known use: 1756i

Frequently Asked Questions about Swish

What does "Swish" mean?

"Swish" means to move, pass, swing, or whirl with the sound of a swish. As an a verb, a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: to move, pass, swing, or whirl with the sound of a swish. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Swish"?

Other words for "Swish" include fizz, hiss, sizzle, whish, whiz, switch, wag and waggle. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Swish" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Swish"?

There are 113 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Swish". Common alternatives include fizz, hiss, sizzle, whish, whiz, switch, wag, waggle, whisk and fizzle.

What is the opposite of "Swish"?

Antonyms of "Swish" include dowdy, out, outmoded, styleless, unchic, uncool, unfashionable and unmodish. Near antonyms include cheesy, tacky, unattractive and unbecoming.

How do you use "Swish" in a sentence?

Examples of "Swish" in a sentence: "the steady swish of the windshield wipers"; "the mare brushed away the flies with a sweeping swish of her tail"; "with their satin costumes swishing, the little ballerinas chasséd onto the stage".

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

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

How do you pronounce "Swish"?

"Swish" is pronounced /ˈswish/.

What is the origin of the word "Swish"?

"Swish" comes from imitative. First known use: 1756i.