Swain

usgb/sweɪn/
noun

A young man who is the lover of a girl or young woman.

The young swain was captivated by her beauty.
Visual representation of "swain" - A young man who is the lover of a girl or young woman

Often appears as...

  • country swain
  • english swain

Usage tips

Formal

Literary

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "swain"
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Romantic Term

Used in stories to refer to a young man in love, usually more poetic and old-fashioned.

Illustration for Romantic Term
The swain serenaded her under the moonlight.
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Old-Fashioned Use

Understand it's rarely used in modern conversation, but you might encounter it in classic literature.

Illustration for Old-Fashioned Use
Every classic novel had a swain chasing after the heroine.
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Literary and Dramatic

Often appears in plays, poems, or novels, not in everyday language.

Illustration for Literary and Dramatic
The play's swain won the audience's sympathy.
Visual representation of the word "Swain"

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