swag

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
informal
a
: goods acquired by unlawful means : booty, loot
… the swag from this and other forms of graft was kept hidden …Frederick Lewis Allen
… a pirate's spectral wife, who has roamed the harbor ever since she was left behind to guard his swag.Katharine Whittemore
b
: valuable articles or goods
One of the premier spots in the area to land home-bar swag is Pub Stuff in Stafford. The store is packed with everything … for homeowners looking to make their bar stand out.Matt Pais
c
: promotional goods or items
… Ravens gear was selling better than O's swag. I bought one of the cartoon-bird caps …David Simon
d
: goods given to people who attend or participate in an event
Her handbags … one year were a part of the swag celebrities brought home from the Screen Actors Guild Awards.Karen Martin
e
: money, lucre
… affirmed that he is now bonded to pay up to $5,000 to any listener who may lose out on swag being offered by another network.Saul Carson
2
a
: a decorative strip or chain hanging in a curve between two points : festoon
… transverse swags of carmine floral design and top crown frieze …James Joyce
b
: a suspended cluster of something (such as evergreen branches)
Garlands of green, with roses interspersed, were in swags and loops about the splendid walls …E. Barrington
3
: a slow movement back and forth : sway sense 1
… a shudder took the whole structure of the vessel and my body on the bed, too, and the Kentucky Queen yawed to the deep inner swag of the river.Robert Penn Warren
4
chiefly Australia : a pack of personal belongings
… I'd be the last to strike my tent and sling my swag.Ambrose Bierce

swag

2 of 3

noun (2)

US slang
: bold or brash self-confidence : swagger, cockiness
His theory: "If you want the world to change, you must be the change you want in the world … . It's good to have swag but better to have substance."Briana Barner
On Sunday, hometown faves Derrick Carter and Jamila Woods tear up the Blue stage while Beyonce's little sister, Solange, brings her grown woman swag as the headliner on the Green stage.Mary L. Dratcher
Lewis spoke of "a breezy self confidence," known perhaps today as swagAnton Allahar
I'm not just talking about his cheesy one-liners and the smirk that sometimes comes with them—the way he delivers that line is pure swag.LaToya Ferguson

swag

3 of 3

verb

swagged; swagging

transitive verb

1
: to adorn with swags
2
: to arrange (something, such as drapery) in swags

Examples of swag in a Sentence

Noun (1) The robbers divided the swag. robbed a bank and hid the swag under the floorboards Verb the days of endless worrying had taken their toll, and the old woman's face swagged with exhaustion
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Chicago Hot Chocolate Run Sign up to run a 5k, 10k, 15k or 2-mile walk and enjoy one of the sweetest swag bags — literally. Moyo Adeolu, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024 The cost is $1,200 per night, and includes, among other things, a $200 daily spa and beauty credit; more than 35 wellness classes daily; and $1,500 in luxury beauty products in your swanky swag bag. Debbi Kickham, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
Every nook and cranny of our favorite northern California town is swagged out with lights, bows, bunting, mistletoe, and, of course, good cheer. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 30 Nov. 2023 Lunch and dinner dine-in guests also will get complimentary Cosmik Fries and swag while supplies last. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 5 Feb. 2023 See all Example Sentences for swag 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

short for swagger entry 2

Verb

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian svagga to sway, rock; akin to Middle Low German swacken to rock

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun (2)

2003, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of swag was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near swag

Cite this Entry

“Swag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swag. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

swag

noun
ˈswag
informal
1
: goods acquired by unlawful means : booty, loot
2
: valuable articles or goods
3
: promotional goods or items
4
: goods given to people who attend or participate in an event

More from Merriam-Webster on swag

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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