• Swag

    Pronunciation

    • US IPA: /swæɡ/
    • Rhymes: -æɡ

    Origin 1

    Probably from Old Norse sveggja ("to swing, sway")

    Full definition of swag

    Verb

    1. (intransitive and transitive) To sway; to cause to sway.
    2. (intransitive) To droop; to sag.
      • PalsgraveI swag as a fat person's belly swaggeth as he goeth.
    3. (transitive) To decorate (something) with loops of draped fabric.
      • 2009, January 29, Cathy Horyn, In Paris, a Nod to Old Masters, Dior wouldn’t be Dior without the swagged ball gown, but while they were beautiful, with delicate vines of embroidery — there was more surprise and contemporary charm in slim satin cocktail dresses with open necklines, a dollop of draping and a half-hidden corset ...
        .

    Noun

    swag

    (plural swags)
    1. A loop of draped fabric.
      • 2005, Alan Hollinghurst, , Bloomsbury Publishing, page 438:He looked in bewilderment at number 24, the final house with its regalia of stucco swags and bows.
    2. A low point or depression in land; especially, a place where water collects.
      • 1902, D. G. Simmons, "The Influence of Contaminated Water in the Development of Diseases", The American Practitioner and News, 34: 182.Whenever the muddy water would accumulate in the swag the water from the well in question would become muddy... After the water in the swag had all disappeared through the sink-hole the well water would again become clear.

    Derived terms

    Origin 2

    Shortening of swagger (noun).

    Noun

    swag

    (uncountable)
    1. (slang) Style; fashionable appearance or manner.
      • 2009, Mark Anthony Archer, Exile, page 119Now this dude got swag, and he was pushing up on me but, it wasn't like we was kicking it or anything!”

    Origin 3

    From British thieves′ slang.

    Noun

    swag

    (plural swags)
    1. (countable) The booty of a burglar or thief; a boodle.
      • 1838, Charles Dickens, , :“It′s all arranged about bringing off the swag, is it?” asked the Jew. Sikes nodded.
      • 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter Foreword, ‘I understand that the district was considered a sort of sanctuary,’ the Chief was saying. ‘ … They tell me there was a recognized swag market down here.’
      • 1971 November 22, Frank E. Emerson, “They Can Get It For You BETTER Than Wholesale”, New York Magazine, page 38He was on his way to call on other dealers to check out their swag and to see if he could trade away some of his leftover odds and ends.
    2. (uncountable) Handouts, freebies, or giveaways, such as those handed out at conventions.
      • 2011, Mark Henry, Battle of the Network Zombies“Make sure to take some swag on your way out!” I called.
        He stooped a bit in mid-trot and snatched a small gold bag out of the basket at the door. The contents were mostly shit, a few drink tickets to the Well of Souls, VIP status at Convent, that sort of thing.
    3. (countable, Australia, dated) The possessions of a bushman or itinerant worker, tied up in a blanket and carried over the shoulder, sometimes attached to a stick.
    4. (countable, Australia, by extension) A small single-person tent, usually foldable in to an integral backpack.
    5. (countable, Australia, New Zealand) A large quantity (of something).

    Derived terms

    Verb

    1. (Australia) To travel on foot carrying a swag (possessions tied in a blanket). From 1850s.

    Derived terms

    Origin 4

    Noun

    swag

    (plural swags)
    1. Alternative capitalization of SWAG; a wild guess or ballpark estimate.I can take a swag at the answer, but it may not be right.

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