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Definition of swansong

swansong

/ˈswɑːn.sɔːŋ/
swan · song
Plural:swansongs
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swansong Lexical Profile

swansong Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

British A person's final public performance, artistic creation, or professional appearance before retirement or death.

Example

"The acclaimed director announced that the upcoming historical drama would be her cinematic swansong."

2

British A legendary, surpassingly beautiful song fabled to be sung by a dying swan.

Example

"Ancient poets often compared the hero's final lament to the mythical swansong."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

The closed spelling "swansong" is standard in British English, whereas American English typically prefers the open compound "swan song".

• Nearby Words

swankiness
swanky
swanlike
swansong
swap
swappable
swapper

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 19th century as a loan translation of German Schwanengesang, referencing the ancient Greek proverb and folklore that mute swans sing a single, beautiful melody just before dying.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Swansong. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/swansong
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