swathe

1 of 2

noun

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h 

variants or swath

ˈswät͟h  ˈswäth 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswȯth

1

: a band used in swathing

2

: an enveloping medium

swathe

2 of 2

verb

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h 

swathed; swathing

transitive verb

1

: to bind, wrap, or swaddle with or as if with a bandage

2

: envelop

a mountain swathed by clouds

Synonyms

Verb

• bosom
• bower
• circumfuse
• cocoon
• embosom
• embower
• embrace
• enclose
• inclose
• encompass
• enfold
• enshroud
• enswathe
• envelop
• enwrap
• invest
• involve
• lap
• mantle
• muffle
• shroud
• veil
• wrap

Examples of swathe in a Sentence

Verb

The nurse swathed the wounded soldier's leg in bandages.

Her neck was swathed in jewels.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In total, the grounds have been swathed in more than one million holiday lights and ornaments. —Brad Japhe, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

Her signature style juxtaposes iconic imagery — Audrey Hepburn swathed in graffiti, Ruth Bader Ginsburg crowned in florals — with biting wit and an unabashed love for maximalism. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

Alongside Dafoe, the standout of the supporting cast is Corrin, playing a devoted mother swathed in the opulent attire of a woman of means, who finds comfort in religion. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Dec. 2024

Even the songs about crazy love (the album’s title song) and scary love (the actual name of the song) can’t help but bring a smile when swathed in Guyton’s soaring vocals and dance-worthy beats. —Nancy Kruh, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English *swæth; akin to Old English swathian to swathe

Verb

Middle English, from Old English swathian

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

swathe

1 of 2 verb

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

swathed; swathing

1

: to bind, wrap, or swaddle with or as if with a bandage

2

: envelop

swathe

2 of 2 noun

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

variants or swath

ˈswät͟h,

ˈswäth,

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswȯth

: a band used in swathing