English Reference
Noun

swagger

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈswæɡɝ/ UK /swˈæɡɐ/ swag·ger UK spelling swaggered, swaggers

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.


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'.

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.

The Guardian· 26 Aug 2026

Fermín López, Raphinha and Pedri were also on target for Hansi Flick’s swaggering visitors on a hot afternoon on Spain’s east coast.

The Guardian· 6 Sept 2026

Etymology 1

A frequentative form of swag (“to sway”), first attested in A Midsummer Night's Dream (1595), see quotations.

Etymology 2

From swag + -er.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated