Meaning
Swagger means to walk, behave, or speak in a very confident, proud, or arrogant way — often to show off. It can also describe a stylish confidence in someone’s appearance or manner.
As a noun, it refers to a confident and sometimes arrogant manner or style. As an adjective, it can describe something that has a bold, cool, or stylish quality.
Grammar and Usage
Part of speech:
- Verb (intransitive) — to walk or behave confidently or arrogantly.
- Noun — a confident or arrogant manner; a stylish attitude.
- Adjective (informal) — showing style or coolness.
Patterns:
- swagger around/about — walk or move proudly.
- with swagger — used to describe the way someone walks or behaves.
- to have swagger — to possess confidence and style.
Common Phrases
- walk with swagger — to walk proudly and confidently.
- have swagger — to exude confidence or coolness.
- swagger around — to move with arrogant self-confidence.
- swagger style — bold or stylish way of dressing or acting.
Collocations
- verb + swagger: walk with swagger, move with swagger
- noun + swagger: his usual swagger, youthful swagger
- adjective + swagger: confident swagger, cool swagger, arrogant swagger
Examples
- He swaggered into the room as if he owned the place.
- The young player has a lot of swagger on and off the field.
- She walked with a confident swagger after winning the award.
- That jacket gives him a real swagger look.
- Don’t swagger around like you’re the boss here.
- His swagger annoyed some people but inspired others.
- The singer’s performance had a unique swagger and energy.
- Teenagers often try to show a bit of swagger to impress their friends.
- The CEO’s swagger was part of his leadership image.
- He spoke with the easy swagger of someone used to attention.
Synonyms or Related
- Verb: strut, boast, parade, flaunt
- Noun: confidence, arrogance, bravado, self-assurance
Antonym
- Verb: humble oneself, walk modestly
- Noun: modesty, humility, shyness