Word
swank
US/ˈswæŋk/
UK/swˈæŋk/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. fancy, expensive style that is meant to impress people. You use it for places or things that look rich and stylish.
n. stylish elegance or showy luxury intended to impress observers.
Examples
“The new hotel has a lot of swank.”
“They choose the downtown restaurant for its swank, with soft lighting and well-dressed waiters.”
“Despite the restaurant's swank, with marble tables and quiet jazz, the food remains simple and comforting.”
Examples
simple
“The new hotel has a lot of swank.”
contextual
“They choose the downtown restaurant for its swank, with soft lighting and well-dressed waiters.”
complex
“Despite the restaurant's swank, with marble tables and quiet jazz, the food remains simple and comforting.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “swank” in context.
Verb
01. affect swank
“He affects swank, though his old friends know his modest background.”
verb + noun
02. drip with swank
“The casino drips with swank, from crystal stairs to valet parking.”
verb + prep + noun
03. exude swank
“The members' club exudes swank from its marble lobby to its cigar terrace.”
verb + noun
04. flaunt swank
“They flaunt their swank at galas, arriving in chauffeured Bentleys.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. hollywood swank
“The hotel lobby has that classic Hollywood swank with chandeliers and velvet.”
adj + noun
06. pure swank
“The rooftop bar is pure swank, all glass, chrome and whispered service.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. air of swank
“The boutique cultivates an air of swank to justify its prices.”
noun + prep + noun
08. a veneer of pure swank
“The diner hides behind a veneer of pure swank and neon lighting.”
09. all style and swank
“The new lounge is all style and swank, with velvet booths and vintage champagne.”
10. dripping with understated swank
“The townhouse is dripping with understated swank and quiet money.”
11. flaunt their newfound swank
“The startup founders love to flaunt their newfound swank in Monaco.”
12. full of hollywood swank
“The afterparty was full of Hollywood swank and designer gowns.”
Etymology
From dialectal swank (“to strut, behave ostentatiously”), perhaps from an unrecorded Old English root, derived from Proto-Germanic swankijaną (“to cause to sway, swing”) or from Proto-Germanic swankaz (“lithe, bendsome, slender”), related to the Scots swank and the Middle High German swanken, modern German schwanken (“to sway”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- 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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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