# swatch

/ˈswɑtʃ/ (US) · /swˈɒtʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/swatch
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. material sample

noun · CEFR B2

a small piece of cloth or a sample of paint used to help you choose a color or material.

For teachers: a representative piece of fabric, leather, or other material, or a sample of color, used for selection or matching.

- We took a fabric swatch to the furniture store to see if it matched the sofa.
- The interior designer provided several velvet swatches to help the client visualize how the curtains would look against the wallpaper.

### 2. a collection of samples

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a book or collection of many different material samples bound together.

For teachers: a collection or book of material samples, often used by professionals in fashion or interior design.

- The tailor handed me a large swatch of wool patterns for my new suit.
- The showroom featured an extensive swatch of upholstery options, ranging from synthetic blends to premium Italian leathers.

### 3. water channel

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Technical

a narrow passage of water between sandbanks or near the shore.

For teachers: a channel or passage of water between sandbanks, or between a sandbank and the shore.

- The small boat navigated carefully through the swatch to reach the open sea.
- Local sailors are warned to monitor the shifting sands, as the swatch can become impassable during low tide.

Usage: Commonly used in maritime contexts in the UK.

### 4. to make a sample

verb · CEFR B2

to knit or create a small sample piece to check how the material looks or fits.

For teachers: to create a sample of fabric, particularly in knitting or crocheting, to test gauge, tension, or color combinations.

- You should always swatch before starting a sweater to make sure the size is right.
- She spent the afternoon swatching different yarn weights to determine which would best suit the intricate lace pattern of the shawl.

Usage: Often used as an intransitive verb in crafting communities.

### 5. watch brand

noun · CEFR A2

a well-known brand of colorful, plastic, or metal Swiss watches.

For teachers: a specific brand of Swiss analog watches, known for their diverse designs and affordable price points.

- He bought a bright yellow Swatch to wear during his summer vacation.
- The collector specialized in limited-edition Swatch releases from the 1980s, noting their impact on pop culture.

Usage: Always capitalized as it is a proper noun.

Teaching tip: While the common noun is B2/C1, the brand name is widely recognized globally even by beginners.

## Examples

- The shopkeeper showed me a swatch of the blue fabric.
- Before ordering the curtains, the decorator asked for a swatch of the velvet to see how it looked in the morning light.
- The textile mill produced a series of swatches to demonstrate the subtle variations in dye depth that occur during the natural drying process of the silk.

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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.