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Swain: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Swain noun. A young male lover or suitor (now usually humorous).
How to say it
SWAYN/ˈsweɪn/
1 syllable.
Swain in a sentence
Her latest swain turned up with a guitar and a single, slightly wilted rose.
In pastoral poems, a lovesick swain sighs for a shepherdess.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- suitor
- admirer
- beau
- wooer
Where swain comes from
From Old Norse sveinn, a boy or servant.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
In pastoral poems, a lovesick _____ sighs for a shepherdess.
- philtre
- camaraderie
- swain
Show the answer
swain: In pastoral poems, a lovesick swain sighs for a shepherdess.