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swanlike

swanlike

4.4
Moving or looking graceful like a swan
  • adjective
  • /ˈswɑːnlaɪk/
translation icon : gracioso
  • The model walked down the runway with a swanlike elegance, drawing everyone's attention.
  • swanlike neck

Examples

  • Her swanlike neck and elegant posture made her stand out in the formal gathering.

  • Her long, swanlike neck was so slender that Jonas could see her pulse pounding rapidly in her carotid artery.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • "Not the only one," he said to his wife, shaking his head at Bridget, wisely blinking his eyes, swanlike.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Sometimes he marveled at the delicacy of her wrists, at her swanlike neck that seemed too gracefully thin to support her head.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The dancer moved across the stage with a swanlike grace that captivated the audience.

Synonyms

elegant
vsswanlike
165 3.3

Having an attractive, stylish look that shows good taste

is about movement like a long-necked water bird rather than style
graceful
vsswanlike
87 2.8

Movement that is smooth and attractive like a dancer or swan

is more associated with movement like a long-necked water bird
beauteous
vsswanlike
  • Archaic
5 9.9

Pleasant to look at, often in a gentle or graceful way

focuses on movement like a long-necked water bird rather than only looks
willowy
vsswanlike
4 6.4

Slim and graceful in a way that looks attractive

is less focused on slim shape and more on long-necked water bird movement

Antonyms

73 1.2

Moving in an awkward, unsteady way that causes accidents

33 3.0

Not graceful in movement or action

How Graceful

swanlike
4.4
graceful
87 2.8
poised
1 5.1
clumsy
73 1.2

Surface Forms

swanlike positive

Morphology

swanlike = swan (transparent) = swan + like

The adjective is formed by adding the productive suffix '-like' to 'swan', yielding 'resembling a swan', which is directly inferable.

Etymology

Swanlike comes from the bird swan and the ending -like, which means 'similar to'. So something 'swanlike' looks or moves like a swan, calm, smooth and graceful.