First Known Use: circa 1596
Dictionary
1swagger
verb swag·ger \ˈswa-gər\
: to walk in a very confident way : to walk with a swagger
swag·geredswag·ger·ing \-g(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of SWAGGER
intransitive verb
1
: to conduct oneself in an arrogant or superciliously pompous manner; especially : to walk with an air of overbearing self-confidence
transitive verb
: to force by argument or threat : bully
— swag·ger·er \-gər-ər\ noun
— swag·ger·ing·ly \-g(ə-)riŋ-lē\ adverb
See swagger defined for English-language learners
See swagger defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Examples of SWAGGER
- He copped a plea, ratted out a dozen no-neck pals and swaggered off to prison, leaving South Beach temporarily without a pied piper. —Carl Hiaasen, New York Times Book Review, 22 Feb. 2009
- So it is a fight rather than an argument, really—a fight over complexity versus ease, a fight that mostly mimics gang war, which is not so much a vigorous instance of manly bloodletting (though it is that too) as a dustup over prestige: who has the prior right to swagger in public. —Cynthia Ozick, Harper's, April 2007
- Sometimes he sauntered through the streets of the old town. He looked with awe at the students of the corps, their cheeks gashed and red, who swaggered about in their coloured caps. —W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage, 1915
- [+]more
Origin of SWAGGER
probably from 1swag + -er (as in chatter)
2swagger
noun swag·ger \ˈswa-gər\
: a way of walking or behaving that shows you have a lot of confidence
Full Definition of SWAGGER
1
a : an arrogantly self-confident way of walking : an act or instance of swaggering b : arrogant or conceitedly self-assured behavior c : ostentatious display or bravado
2
: a self-confident outlook : cockiness
See swagger defined for English-language learners
Examples of SWAGGER
- He limps with a noticeable swagger, flamboyantly waving his cane, semi-ironically mimicking the rap stars who are now his peers. —Matt Diehl, Spin, September 2008
- He greeted me with the swagger he's learned since he became a fighter pilot, smiling, his blue eyes glowing. —Matthew Klam, Harper's, February 1999
- What a hero Tom was become, now! He did not go skipping and prancing, but moved with a dignified swagger as became a pirate who felt that the public eye was on him. —Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer, 1876
- [+]more
Origin of SWAGGER
(see 1swagger)
First Known Use: 1725
3swagger
adjective swag·ger \ˈswa-gər\
Definition of SWAGGER
: marked by elegance or showiness : posh
Origin of SWAGGER
(see 1swagger)
First Known Use: 1879
SWAGGER Defined for Kids
1swagger
verb swag·ger \ˈswa-gər\
swag·geredswag·ger·ing
Definition of SWAGGER for Kids
: to walk with a proud strut
2swagger
noun
Definition of SWAGGER for Kids
: an act or instance of walking with a proud strut
Learn More About SWAGGER
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: swagger stickPrevious Word in the Dictionary: swage–setAll Words Near: swagger
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up swagger? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).