Word
swanky
US/ˈswɑŋki/
UK/swˈæŋki/
Definition
adj. fancy and expensive-looking in a showy way. You use it for places, clothes, or parties that look rich and stylish.
adj. stylishly luxurious and expensive in appearance, often with an implication of showiness or ostentation.
Examples
“They live in a swanky apartment in the city center.”
“For our anniversary we booked a swanky rooftop restaurant with great views and live music.”
“Despite its swanky lobby with marble floors and soft lighting, the hotel struggled to hide the tired rooms waiting behind its polished doors.”
Examples
simple
“They live in a swanky apartment in the city center.”
contextual
“For our anniversary we booked a swanky rooftop restaurant with great views and live music.”
complex
“Despite its swanky lobby with marble floors and soft lighting, the hotel struggled to hide the tired rooms waiting behind its polished doors.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “swanky” in context.
Verb
01. feel swanky
“I felt swanky sipping champagne on the rooftop terrace.”
verb + adj
02. look swanky
“You look swanky in that new suit for the wedding.”
verb + adj
Adjective
03. pretty swanky
“They booked a pretty swanky suite for their anniversary.”
adv + adj
04. quite swanky
“That neighbourhood has become quite swanky in recent years.”
adv + adj
05. really swanky
“The new cocktail bar downtown is really swanky.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. swanky apartment
“He rents a swanky apartment with a view of the river.”
adj + noun
07. swanky bar
“We had cocktails at a swanky bar overlooking the city.”
adj + noun
08. swanky hotel
“They stayed in a swanky hotel near the beach in Miami.”
adj + noun
09. a swanky part of town
“They moved to a swanky part of town near the park.”
10. dinner at a swanky restaurant
“We had dinner at a swanky restaurant to celebrate his promotion.”
11. look swanky for the party
“She bought a new dress to look swanky for the party.”
12. stay in a swanky hotel
“They stayed in a swanky hotel for their honeymoon in Paris.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies; predicative use after 'look' or 'feel' is also common.
Etymology
From swank + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
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.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
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/swanky