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to swan

to swan

3 7.9
To move around in a relaxed, aimless way without a fixed plan
  • verb
  • /swɑn/
  • Informal
translation icon : pasearse por
  • They pout and swan around, cleaning up tables, and go home to dress up as women.
  • swan around
  • swan dive

A lone swan Swans up the river at Old Saybrook.

Examples

  • They spent their vacation swaning along the beach, taking in the sun and the sound of the waves.

  • Do you really expect me to just sit here while you swan off with another man on a honeymoon?

  • Before we start the picnic, why do you think it's safe for us to swan about out here?

  • Your parents wouldn't let you swan off like that, would they?

  • You swan around here like nothing's ever happened.

  • Who do you suppose pays for him to swan around Biarritz for six months of the year?

  • Mitt just can't expect to swan in and be at the same level as a Kriss Akabusi.

    Blog text (23)
  • She loves to swan around the city, exploring new cafes and parks on sunny afternoons.

  • Every weekend, he would swan about the farmers' market, enjoying the fresh produce and local crafts.

Synonyms

to wander
vsto swan
379 1.3

Move around without a fixed direction, often slowly and in curves

is the general relaxed aimless travel term without winding emphasis
to drift
vsto swan
331 2.9

To move slowly without a clear direction, for example when air or water move something

involves active relaxed movement rather than being carried or passive
to roam
vsto swan
189 2.5

Move around without a fixed place, often while looking for something

is more about relaxed leisure travel rather than searching for something
to roll
vsto swan
100 2.0

To move from place to place without a fixed home or plan

is leisure focused aimless travel rather than survival or work seeking
to rove
vsto swan
22 6.4

To travel around without a fixed plan, often looking for something

is primarily a relaxed aimless movement not driven by search
to ramble
vsto swan
14 4.4

To walk for pleasure without a fixed route

is the broader relaxed aimless travel not limited to pleasure
to gallivant
vsto swan
  • Informal
11 8.4

To roam around for pleasure without a clear plan

is calmer and more leisurely rather than lively pleasure travel
to vagabond
vsto swan
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To move from place to place without a home

is modern neutral leisure movement rather than older survival wandering

Antonyms

548 1.0

To move or act quickly because a situation needs it

7 3.9

Move quickly to do something

Idioms

8.8

Move or stand in a graceful, beautiful way

Compounds

swan song
  • Informal
5 7.7

A final public performance or work before a person stops performing

3 5.1

A dive where the diver arches their back and stretches their arms before entering the water

1 8.6

An unexpected event that has very large and often harmful effects

1 6.1

A large white swan with a loud, trumpet-like call

A rare, unexpected happening that has very big effects

1 7.4

A large white bird with a long neck that breeds in Arctic tundra

8.8

A small white swan from Europe and Asia with a yellow and black beak

black swan
  • Australian
5.3

A large Australian swan with black feathers and a red bill

4.6

A large white bird with a long neck that lives on lakes and rivers and is quieter than other swans

Swan River daisy
  • Australian
8.1

A plant from western Australia that lives for one year and has bright white, blue or purple flowers

9.9

A small Australian plant that lives for one year with light pink flowers that hang down

swan-flower
  • Specialized
9.9

An orchid with long curved flower stems and swan-like blooms

swan orchid
  • Specialized
9.9

An orchid with long arching flowers that look like a swan's neck

swan-neck
  • Specialized
9.9

A kind of orchid with long curved flower stems like a swan's neck

whistling swan
  • Specialized
8.1

A large white water bird that makes a soft high whistle

8.5

A large white bird with a long neck that makes loud trumpet calls

How Leisurely

to swan
  • Informal
3 7.9
meander
1 5.2
to saunter
18 5.5
to amble
15 4.8
to stroll
122 1.8
to walk
1.0

Surface Forms

swan infinitive
swanned past
swanned past participle
swanning present participle
swans third person singular

Etymology

Swan as a verb comes from the image of the bird moving slowly and proudly. A helpful way to remember it is to picture a swan 'gliding' without hurry, so to swan around means to move about in a slow, relaxed way.