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Swan Very Common

Swan has 9 different meanings across 3 categories:

Noun · Verb · Proper Noun

Definitions
Noun
1

stately heavy-bodied aquatic bird with very long neck and usually white plumage as adult

"The elegant swan glided gracefully across the calm lake, its long neck stretching forward to display pristine white feathers."

2

Any of various species of large, long-necked waterfowl, of genus Cygnus (bird family: Anatidae), most of which have white plumage.

"The local supporters' group welcomed the new manager, who was officially registered as a swan before ever stepping onto the pitch."

3

someone connected with Swansea City Football Club, as a fan, player, coach, etc.

In plain English: A swan is a large, graceful white bird that swims on water and has long necks.

"We took a boat ride through the lake to see the white swans swimming gracefully in the water."

Verb
1

to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true

"Before God I swear I am innocent"

2

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

"The gypsies roamed the woods"

"roving vagabonds"

"the wandering Jew"

"The cattle roam across the prairie"

"the laborers drift from one town to the next"

"They rolled from town to town"

3

sweep majestically

"Airplanes were swanning over the mountains"

4

To travel or move about in an aimless, idle, or pretentiously casual way.

"I swan that I will never return to that city again."

5

To declare (chiefly in first-person present constructions).

In plain English: To swan means to move around with smooth, graceful movements that look very confident and effortless.

"The swans glided gracefully across the calm lake."

Usage: Use "swan" as a verb to describe moving with graceful, effortless ease rather than struggling against the current. Avoid confusing this specific sense of smooth motion with its less common meanings involving aimless wandering or making declarations.

Proper Noun
1

A surname, from nicknames​.

"The Swan family has lived in the village for generations since their ancestor adopted the name as a surname derived from an old nickname."

Example Sentences
"We took a boat ride through the lake to see the white swans swimming gracefully in the water." noun
"The swan glided gracefully across the calm lake." noun
"We saw a white swan swimming near the fountain in the park." noun
"Her voice was as beautiful and clear as a swan's call." noun
"The swans glided gracefully across the calm lake." verb
See Also
duck cygnine swanny black necked swan heraldry black swan fan swanship
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
aquatic bird declare travel sweep
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
coscoroba cob pen cygnet mute swan whooper tundra swan trumpeter black swan hold claim attest declare protest assure maunder gallivant

Origin

The word "swan" comes from Old English and originally meant "the singing bird." Its roots trace back to Proto-Indo-European words for making sound or singing.

Rhyming Words
wan ewan awan gwan kwan hwan iwan diwan dewan aswan tewan erwan lpwan cowan gowan iowan lowan powan rowan sawan
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