Word
swig
US/ˈswɪɡ/
UK/swˈɪɡ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a big, quick drink from a bottle or cup. You take a swig when you are thirsty and want a lot at once.
n. a single large mouthful of drink taken quickly. Informal in tone, typically used with 'take' or 'have'.
Examples
“He takes a quick swig of water.”
“After the long run, she takes a cold swig from her bottle at the sideline.”
“Between verses, the singer pauses for a slow swig of tea, letting the warmth settle before the final chorus begins.”
Examples
simple
“He takes a quick swig of water.”
contextual
“After the long run, she takes a cold swig from her bottle at the sideline.”
complex
“Between verses, the singer pauses for a slow swig of tea, letting the warmth settle before the final chorus begins.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “swig” in context.
Verb
01. have swig
“Can I have a swig of your juice? I'm really thirsty.”
verb + noun
02. need swig
“After that run, I really need a swig of cold water.”
verb + noun
03. offer swig
“He offered me a swig of his cola during the break.”
verb + noun
04. swig burns
“A big swig of whiskey burns as it goes down.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. big swig
“He took a big swig of water after the long run.”
adj + noun
06. deep swig
“He took a deep swig from the bottle and passed it on.”
adj + noun
07. generous swig
“She took a generous swig of lemonade on the hot day.”
adj + noun
08. long swig
“She took a long swig of iced tea and sighed.”
adj + noun
09. quick swig
“I took a quick swig of coffee before the meeting.”
adj + noun
Noun
10. swig from bottle
“He took a swig from the bottle and handed it back.”
noun + prep + noun
11. have a quick swig
“Can I have a quick swig of your drink?”
12. share a swig with friends
“We bought a bottle and shared a swig with friends.”
Usage
Commonly pairs with 'take' or 'have' ('take a swig'); often followed by 'of' or 'from'.
Real-World Examples
“Images of prisoners swigging champagne, being driven away in sports cars and thanking the then prime minister were seized upon by the government’s critics.” “A couple sitting at a table get friendlier with each swig of beer.” “After cheering, whether by raising a glass or clicking glasses, many Spaniards will then take their glass and quickly place it down on the table before lifting it again to take a swig.” Etymology
Unknown, mid 16th c. Perhaps connected with Old English swelgan (“to swallow”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
Domain
- 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
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