What does swat mean?
Swat chiefly means to hit something sharply and forcefully, usually with an open hand or a flat object. It is commonly used for swatting insects, such as flies or mosquitoes, and conveys quick, decisive action. The word can also mean to dismiss or reject someone abruptly, as in "swat him off," though this use is informal and less frequent. As a noun, a swat is a sharp blow or a sudden dismissal. The expression "take a swat at" means to make an attempt at doing something, while "get the swat" refers to being dismissed or rejected. Although the word has a forceful, colloquial tone, it is widely understood in everyday English. Its striking physical meaning gives it a memorable place in language: a swat is brief, direct, and hard to ignore.
To strike or hit something sharply and forcefully.
"She swatted the wasp with a magazine."
Informal; often used with insects or with a hand or flat object.
To dismiss or reject someone abruptly.
"The manager swatted away the employee's questions."
Figurative and informal; the sense is less common than the physical one.
A sharp, forceful blow.
"The ball disappeared with a loud swat."
Generally informal.
An abrupt dismissal or rejection.
"He got the swat after his comment offended the host."
Chiefly informal and especially associated with American usage.
Used for individual forceful blows; plural usage is uncommon compared with the verb and the idiomatic phrase "get the swat."
"The umpire's sharp swats echoed across the field."
From a sharp strike to a figurative dismissal, swat can knock a problem down in an instant.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does swat come from?
The precise origin of swat is uncertain. It developed in English as a forceful word associated with striking or hitting, and its use for swatting insects follows that older physical sense. The verb's meaning was later extended figuratively to abrupt dismissal, while the noun came to refer both to the blow itself and to a sudden rejection.
Related word forms
How swat is actually used
The verb is informal and often describes hitting something with the hand or a flat object. The noun for a forceful dismissal, as in "get the swat," is especially associated with American informal English.
Easily confused with swat
Swat means to strike or hit something forcefully, whereas sweat is the liquid produced by the body or the act of producing it.
Swat is associated with striking or dismissal, while squat means to sit or stand with the knees bent, or to occupy a space without permission.