swish

UK: /ˈswɪʃ/ US: /swɪʃ/ ,(swish)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

swish /swɪʃ/   v. 

1. to move with or make a sharp, whistling, or hissing sound, as a slender rod does when cutting sharply through the air: [~ + object]
   The music conductor swished his baton through the air.
   [no object]
   When a cat's tail swishes, it can be a sign of anger.
2. [no object] to rustle or make a soft sound or movement.

n. [countable]

3. a swishing movement or sound.
4. a stick or rod for flogging, or a stroke with this.
5. Slang Terms (disparaging and offensive). a male homosexual whose appearance or mannerisms resemble a woman's.

adj. 

6. British Terms [Chiefly Brit. Informal.] stylishly elegant;
   fashionable.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

swish (swish),  v.i. 

1. to move with or make a sibilant sound, as a slender rod cutting sharply through the air or as small waves washing on the shore.
2. to rustle, as silk.
3. to move or behave in an exaggeratedly effeminate manner.

v.t. 

4. to flourish, whisk, etc., with a swishing movement or sound:
   to swish a cane.
5. to bring, take, cut, etc., with such a movement or sound:
   to swish off the tops of plants with a cane.
6. to flog or whip.

n. 

7. a swishing movement or sound.
8. a stock or rod for flogging or a stroke with this.
9. Slang Terms (disparaging and offensive). an effeminate male homosexual.

adj. 

10. Slang Terms swishy (def. 2).
11. British Terms [Chiefly Brit. Informal.] stylishly elegant;
    fashionable.

• imitative 1750–60

swish′er, n. 
swish′ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

swish / swɪʃ/ verb

1. to move with or make or cause to move with or make a whistling or hissing sound
2. (intransitive) (esp of fabrics) to rustle
3. (transitive) to whip; flog
4. (transitive) followed by off: to cut with a swishing blow

noun

1. a hissing or rustling sound or movement
2. a rod for flogging or a blow from such a rod

adjective

1. fashionable; smart

Etymology: 18th Century: of imitative origin