Swank
noun
A display of elegance or showiness.
He put on a swank to impress his friends.
Often appears as...
- put on a swank
- a bit of swank
verb
To show off or boast.
He likes to swank about his wealth.
Often appears as...
- swank about
- swank around
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
adjective
Elegant or expensive.
They stayed in a swank hotel.
Often appears as...
- swank hotel
- swank restaurant
noun
A display of elegance or showiness.
He put on a swank to impress his friends.
Often appears as...
- put on a swank
- a bit of swank
verb
To show off or boast.
He likes to swank about his wealth.
Often appears as...
- swank about
- swank around
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
adjective
Elegant or expensive.
They stayed in a swank hotel.
Often appears as...
- swank hotel
- swank restaurant
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Social Perception
Using 'swank' often implies a negative view of someone's showy behavior, suggesting it's unnecessary or excessive.
His swank at the party seemed a bit over the top.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Usage
'Swank' can indicate sophistication in certain contexts, but might sound old-fashioned or out of touch in others.
The old movie showed a swank lifestyle that's rarely seen today.
Pro Tip 3/3Often Negative
The term 'swank' can be used sarcastically to critique someone's attempt to impress others.
She dismissed his new watch as just another piece of swank.
Pro Tip 1/3Social Perception
Using 'swank' often implies a negative view of someone's showy behavior, suggesting it's unnecessary or excessive.
His swank at the party seemed a bit over the top.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Usage
'Swank' can indicate sophistication in certain contexts, but might sound old-fashioned or out of touch in others.
The old movie showed a swank lifestyle that's rarely seen today.
Pro Tip 3/3Often Negative
The term 'swank' can be used sarcastically to critique someone's attempt to impress others.
She dismissed his new watch as just another piece of swank.
Pro Tip 1/3Social Perception
Using 'swank' often implies a negative view of someone's showy behavior, suggesting it's unnecessary or excessive.
His swank at the party seemed a bit over the top.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Usage
'Swank' can indicate sophistication in certain contexts, but might sound old-fashioned or out of touch in others.
The old movie showed a swank lifestyle that's rarely seen today.
Pro Tip 3/3Often Negative
The term 'swank' can be used sarcastically to critique someone's attempt to impress others.
She dismissed his new watch as just another piece of swank.
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Video examples
The beauty of being a...
And you got to pretend you were cool and smart and swank, too. And you got to meet a bunch of editors and authors and agents at very, very fancy lunches and dinners. Ask me how fancy. How fancy?
Video examples
The beauty of being a...
And you got to pretend you were cool and smart and swank, too. And you got to meet a bunch of editors and authors and agents at very, very fancy lunches and dinners. Ask me how fancy. How fancy?
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Emily Chang
American Journalist
In December 2014, Uber held its annual holiday party on an unfurnished floor at its swank, mood-lit headquarters in San Francisco. Employees and investors attended in flamboyant attire from the Roaring '20s and drank at an open bar into the early morning hours.
Quote examples
Eve Arden
American Actress
Everyone from Pullman porters to hostesses at swank New York parties will tell me they always watch 'Miss Brooks' on Friday night.
Quote examples
Richard Burton
Welsh Actor
You've got to swank in Hollywood.
Quote examples
Emily Chang
American Journalist
In December 2014, Uber held its annual holiday party on an unfurnished floor at its swank, mood-lit headquarters in San Francisco. Employees and investors attended in flamboyant attire from the Roaring '20s and drank at an open bar into the early morning hours.
Quote examples
Eve Arden
American Actress
Everyone from Pullman porters to hostesses at swank New York parties will tell me they always watch 'Miss Brooks' on Friday night.
Quote examples
Richard Burton
Welsh Actor
You've got to swank in Hollywood.
Example 1 of 3
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