# swan

/ˈswɑn/ (US) · /swˈɒn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/swan
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the bird

noun · CEFR A2

a large, usually white bird with a very long neck that lives on rivers and lakes.

For teachers: a large, long-necked waterfowl of the genus Cygnus, typically possessing white plumage in adulthood.

- A family of white swans swam slowly across the lake behind the park.
- The mute swan is a common sight on European waterways, easily identified by its curved neck and orange bill with a black base.

### 2. to move idly or showily

verb · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal

to travel or move around in a relaxed way, often making others feel you are lucky or important.

For teachers: to move or travel in an aimless, idle, or ostentatiously casual manner. Intransitive and often carries a disapproving tone.

- She spent the whole summer swanning around Europe while we were stuck at work.
- He has a habit of swanning into the office late, acting as though his presence alone is a significant contribution to the team's productivity.

### 3. to declare

verb · CEFR C2 · American English · Dialect · Archaic

an old-fashioned way to say 'I promise' or 'I declare'.

For teachers: to declare or swear; used primarily in the first-person present as a mild intensive. Dialectal and increasingly rare.

- Well, I swan, I never expected to see you in this part of town.
- The elderly farmer looked at the ruined crop and muttered, 'I swan, I've never seen a storm do that much damage in ten minutes.'

## Examples

- A white swan swims slowly across the lake.
- The park visitors stopped to watch a pair of swans gliding gracefully through the reeds near the shore.
- In many literary traditions, the swan serves as a symbol of fidelity and grace, though its territorial behavior can be surprisingly aggressive during nesting season.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.