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Definition of swot

swot

/swɒt/
swot

Plural:swots
•
Adjective:swottish
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Past Simple:swotted
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Past Participle:swotted
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Present Participle:swotting
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swot Lexical Profile

swot Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A strategic planning framework (normally capitalized as SWOT) used by organizations or individuals to evaluate Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

Example

"Before launching the new software product, the marketing team conducted a thorough SWOT analysis."


2

British A person, especially a student, who studies very hard and diligently, often to the exclusion of social or leisure activities (used informally and often derogatorily).

Example

"The other children teased him for being a swot because he spent his lunch breaks reading in the library."


3

British Intensive study or hard academic work, or a subject requiring such effort.

Example

"Memorizing all those historical dates for the final exam was a real swot."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• verb

1

British To study assiduously and intensively, especially in preparation for an examination.

Example

"She stayed home all weekend to swot for her upcoming chemistry finals."

Synonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse the British informal term 'swot' (to study hard) with 'swat' (to hit or crush, such as an insect). In business contexts, 'SWOT' (capitalized) is a globally used acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

• Rhymes for swot

Word Origin & Etymology

Originating in mid-19th-century British military slang at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, 'swot' is a Scottish dialectal pronunciation of the word 'sweat', referring to the mental exertion of intense studying.

Cite this Entry


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