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
Noun
The swag bags are considered taxable income (per the IRS website), since Distinctive Assets is paid to put the pouches together, instead of them being given to the stars by friends or family. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024 In The Path As well as the payday in the path, the successful applicants—friends, family, partners and coworkers—will receive a professional photography class, hotel accommodation, travel stipend, Wyndham Rewards Diamond membership, and plenty of Days Inn swag. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Swift has become a mainstay for the Chiefs both at home and on the road, making headlines for everything from her spot-on swag surfing to her amazing style, often repping Kelce's jersey number, 87. Brittany Talarico, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024 Days after Douglas followed Lash Fary on Instagram, Lash Fary made a call-out for businesses interested in being a part of this year's Grammy swag bags, Douglas said. Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2024 Patrick Smith/Getty Images Seemingly, Swift has been taking game-day style notes from Mahomes all football season long and acquired a lot of custom Chiefs swag in the process. Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2024 Within a few years, swag suites became so ubiquitous at Sundance — and so over-the-top, with some celebrity goodie bags packed with as much as $50,000 worth of gifts — that the festival began an anti-swag campaign, encouraging stars to boycott the free stuff. Thr Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2024 Entry is $20, but there’s a $250 gift card, swag and other prizes up for grabs. Adele Chapin, Washington Post, 4 Jan. 2024 They'll also be given a nature and landscape photography course from a photo expert, a Wyndham Rewards Diamond level membership, Days Inn swag, and, perhaps best of all — $5,000 cash each. Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 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 Offsite developed a software platform to help with sourcing, contracting, and planning everything from location to swag. Constance Dierickx, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023 Payne is trying to rediscover that swag a right foot strain has toned down. Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 27 Dec. 2022 Another way to deal with low ceilings is to swag a light fixture from the ceiling. Angela Belt, House Beautiful, 16 Dec. 2022 Cam’s $400 hotel sweats (because his airline lost his luggage) are by British brand Orlebar Brown, capturing the necessary quality and swag that Bovaird then had embroidered. Emma Fraser, Town & Country, 4 Dec. 2022 On a wall with multiple windows, hang your garland at the corners of the bank of windows (letting the greenery trail toward the floor) and swag it in the middle. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Nov. 2022 Those watching the race at home, or at the track, can scan the code and win prizes such as tickets to future races or swag such as T-shirts, hats, floor mats, racing flags, and koozies. Greg Engle, Forbes, 17 Apr. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'swag.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

swag

noun
ˈswag
: goods acquired by unlawful means

More from Merriam-Webster on swag

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