swish
intransitive verb
- to move with a sharp, hissing sound, as a cane swung through the air
- to move with a light, brushing sound, as skirts in walking
- Basketball to pass through the basket without hitting the hoop or backboard: said of a ball
transitive verb
- to cause to swish
- to move (liquid), esp. in the mouth, with a light, hissing or gurgling sound: swish the mouthwash around
- Basketball to cause (a ball) to swish
noun
- a hissing or rustling sound
- a movement, etc. that makes this sound
- ☆ Slang an effeminate male homosexual: a term of contempt and hostility
adjective
- Brit., Informal fashionable
- ☆ Slang of, like, or for effeminate male homosexuals: a term of contempt and hostility
See swish in American Heritage Dictionary 4
swish
verb swished,
swish·ing,
swish·es verb, intransitive- To move with a hissing or whistling sound, as a whip.
- To rustle, as silk.
verb, transitive- To cause to make a swishing sound.
- To strike or cut with a swishing sound.
- To whip with a rod.
nouna. A sharp whistling or rustling sound: the swish of scythes.
b. A movement making such a sound.
a. A rod used for flogging.
b. A stroke made with such a rod.
- Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a homosexual man.
adjective- Informal Fashionable; posh: “a swish pastry shop on the Rue du Bac” (Julia Child).
- Slang Effeminate.
Origin: Imitative.
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