Pronunciation

/swɒl/

Definitions

Noun

A swallow is a small, typically migratory bird of the family Hirundinidae, known for its ability to catch insects on the wing. It can also refer to the act of swallowing something whole. Example: “The swallow built its nest under the eaves of the house.”

Verb

To swallow (v) means to take food or liquid into one’s mouth and move it down the throat without chewing, often used metaphorically. Example: “He swallowed his pride and apologized for his mistake.”

Adjective

In some contexts, “swallow” can be used as an adjective, describing something that is easily accepted or swallowed whole. Example: “The children eagerly swallowed the story of the magic garden.”

Adverb

“Swallow-like” describes something done with the same rapidity or efficiency as a swallow consumes its prey. Example: “The snake moved swallow-like through the grass.”

Phrases

• “Swallow a lie” means to accept or pretend to believe something that is not true.
• “Swallow hard” refers to making a conscious effort to suppress emotions or difficulty, especially when making a difficult decision.
• “Swallow your anger” means to restrain or control one’s anger.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The swallow was perched on a branch, waiting for its next meal.”
• Verb: “After a long debate, he finally swallowed his reservations and agreed to the proposal.”
• Adjective: “Her advice was swallowed up by the excitement of the moment.”

Synonyms

• Ingest
• Devour
• Consume
• Swallow up
• Glug
• Down (as in “down a drink”)

Note: The verb “swallow” does not have direct synonyms like “hi” or “greetings” for the noun sense. The related words mentioned above mostly relate to the verb usage.