Swish: meaning, definitions and examples

🏀

Add to dictionary

swish

[swɪʃ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

basketball

To move with a hissing or rushing sound, often used to describe the sound of a basketball passing through the net.

Synonyms

swoosh, whiz, whoosh.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
swish	Commonly used to describe the sound of something moving smoothly through the air or space, often in a repetitive motion. The basketball swished through the hoop. Her dress swished as she walked down the stairs.
swoosh	Often associated with a quick, smooth movement through the air, frequently used in branding (such as Nike). The jogger's shoes made a swoosh sound as he ran by. You could hear the swoosh of the wind through the trees.
whoosh	Imitates the sound of something moving rapidly and smoothly through the air, usually creating a sense of speed and momentum. The door shut with a loud whoosh. Whoosh! The roller coaster zipped past us.
whiz	Describes a high-speed motion, usually with a sense of excitement or amazement. May have an informal tone. The car whizzed by in a flash of red. He is a tech whiz, always finding the latest gadgets.

Examples of usage

The basketball swished through the net for a perfect three-point shot.
The player's shot swished through the hoop, scoring a crucial point for the team.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

sound

A rushing or hissing sound produced by something moving quickly through the air.

Synonyms

swoosh, whiz, whoosh.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
swish	Swish is often used to describe a smooth, soft sound or movement, especially in the context of clothing, fabric, or a fast, gliding motion. She could hear the swish of her dress as she walked across the room. The basketball made a satisfying swish as it went through the net.
swoosh	Swoosh is commonly associated with a faster, sweeping sound or movement, often used in sports or in describing the motion of fast objects through air or water. The runners could hear the swoosh of the wind in their ears. You can see the swoosh of the Nike logo on their shoes.
whoosh	Whoosh generally conveys a sudden, fast movement with a rushing noise, often used to describe the passage of air or water. She felt the whoosh of the train as it sped past the platform. There was a whoosh of air as he opened the door.
whiz	Whiz is used to describe something or someone moving very quickly, often with a high-pitched sound. It can also be used informally to describe someone who is very skilled at something. The bullets began to whiz past their heads. She’s a real whiz at solving math problems.

Examples of usage

The swish of the wind through the trees was calming.
I could hear the swish of the car passing by at high speed.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'swish' likely comes from an imitation of the sound made by moving quickly, first recorded in the late 19th century.
It may have roots in Middle English, where similar words described swishing movements or sounds.

Sports

In basketball, a perfect shot that goes straight into the basket without touching the rim or backboard is called a 'swish'.
The swish is often celebrated in basketball because it signifies skill and accuracy.

Cultural References

The term is often used in fashion, describing the graceful movement of fabrics like silk or satin when they sway.
In music, sounds that swoosh or swish can create a smooth, flowing rhythm, adding a layer of enjoyment to songs.

Psychology

The sound associated with 'swish' can be linked to feelings of excitement and satisfaction, especially in action sports.
The concept can evoke a sense of freedom and fluidity, often relating to positive emotional states.

Literature

Authors often use the word to describe movement, giving readers a visual sense of speed or elegance in scenes.
Classic poetry sometimes employs the sound of 'swish' to create a rhythmic quality that enhances the emotional tone of the work.

Translations

Translations of the word "swish" in other languages:

🇵🇹 chiado

🇮🇳 स्विश

🇩🇪 Zischen

🇮🇩 desis

🇺🇦 шурхіт

🇵🇱 świst

🇯🇵 シュッ

🇫🇷 sifflement

🇪🇸 silbido

🇹🇷 vızıltı

🇰🇷 쉬익

🇸🇦 أزيز

🇨🇿 šustění

🇸🇰 šustenie

🇨🇳 嗖

🇸🇮 šum

🇮🇸 hviss

🇰🇿 шиқылдау

🇬🇪 შიშინი

🇦🇿 şıqqıltı

🇲🇽 silbido

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,901, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
26898 gullet
26899 thrombotic
26900 collate
26901 swish
26902 numbed
26903 besiege
26904 trumped
...