English · Word Candidate

swan

/swɒn/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: swans · swanning · swanned

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Any of various species of large, long-necked waterfowl, of genus Cygnus (bird family: Anatidae), most of which have white plumage.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

One whose grace etc. suggests a swan.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To travel or move about in an aimless, idle, or pretentiously casual way.

Verb

Examples

He swans around that stinking office in his expensive clothes that are a little too tight for comfort, he swans around that stinking office without a care in the world.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To declare (chiefly in first-person present constructions).

VerbRegister: US, colloquial

Examples

"Well, I swan, man, I had a better opinion of you than that."

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “swan” mean?

Any of various species of large, long-necked waterfowl, of genus Cygnus (bird family: Anatidae), most of which have white plumage.

Is “swan” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.