swag
swag Lexical Profile
swag Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Promotional merchandise, souvenirs, or free items given away at events, conferences, or trade shows.
"Conference attendees left the registration desk carrying tote bags filled with company swag."
Bold self-confidence, stylishness, or an effortlessly cool demeanor and manner of dressing.
"The young musician walked onto the stage with undeniable swag and charisma."
Money or valuable goods stolen by a thief or acquired illicitly.
"In the classic caper novel, the burglars hid their bag of swag inside a hollow oak tree."
An ornamental curtain, drapery, or garland of flowers and foliage fastened at both ends so that it hangs in a drooping curve in the middle.
"A lush cedar swag adorned with red ribbons hung above the fireplace mantel for the holidays."
Australian A traveler's or bushman's rolled bundle of personal belongings and bedding, or a portable canvas bedroll.
"The shearer hoisted his canvas swag onto his shoulders and set off along the dusty outback track."
• adjective
Stylish, cool, or possessing impressive self-assurance (in informal and slang usage).
"The dancers wore swag outfits that immediately caught the audience's attention."
• verb
To arrange or drape fabric, curtains, or garlands so that they hang in decorative drooping curves.
"The interior designer decided to swag the velvet curtains across the tall bay windows."
To sway, lurch, or sag heavily from side to side or downward under weight.
"The heavy canvas awning began to swag in the middle after the torrential rainstorm."
Word Nuance & Usage
While traditional senses refer to decorative festoons, stolen goods, or a bushman's bundle, modern North American usage predominantly refers to promotional freebies or, in youth slang, stylish self-confidence (shortened from 'swagger').
• Rhymes for swag
Word Origin & Etymology
Dating to the 14th century in the sense of a bulging bag or swaying movement, the word is likely of Scandinavian origin, related to Old Norse 'sveggja' (to sway or swing) and 'agga' (to rock). The modern slang sense meaning stylish confidence emerged in the early 21st century as a clipping of 'swagger', itself a derivative of 'swag'.