Word
swagger
Phoneticsswag·ger, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈswæɡɝ/
UK/swˈæɡɐ/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a way of walking or behaving that shows you are very confident and proud. It is often used to describe someone who looks cool or important.
n. a confident, arrogant, or aggressive gait or manner. Often implies a performative display of status or self-assurance.
Examples
“He walked into the room with a confident swagger.”
“The young athlete played with a certain swagger that intimidated his more experienced opponents.”
“The lead singer's stage presence was defined by a restless swagger, blending rock-and-roll defiance with a carefully cultivated sense of effortless cool.”
Examples
simple
“He walked into the room with a confident swagger.”
contextual
“The young athlete played with a certain swagger that intimidated his more experienced opponents.”
complex
“The lead singer's stage presence was defined by a restless swagger, blending rock-and-roll defiance with a carefully cultivated sense of effortless cool.”
Usage
Often used with the verb 'to have' or 'to walk with'.
Real-World Examples
“He wanted to do more in the second half and there was a swagger about him on the ball; some lovely skills and darting runs.” “Fermín López, Raphinha and Pedri were also on target for Hansi Flick’s swaggering visitors on a hot afternoon on Spain’s east coast.” Etymology
A frequentative form of swag (“to sway”), first attested in A Midsummer Night's Dream (1595), see quotations.
From swag + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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