Swain Meaning in English
word
ˈsweɪn
SWAYN
swˈeɪn
SWAYN
Definition
A 'swain' is an old-fashioned or poetic word for a young man who is in love, especially one courting or loving a woman.
Usage & Nuances
This word is rarely used in modern speech except in literature, poetry, or humorous/ironic contexts. It sounds old-fashioned and romantic; expect to see 'swain' in classic novels or poetry, not everyday conversation.
Spanish: galán - pretendiente (antiguo)Portuguese (BR): pretendente (arcaico) - galanteador (poético)Portuguese (PT): pretendente (arcaico) - galanteador (poético)Chinese (Simplified): 求爱者（古语）- 情郎（诗意）Chinese (Traditional): 求愛者（古語）- 情郎（詩意）Hindi: प्रेमी (पुरातन/काव्य)Arabic: عاشق (قديم/شعري)Bengali: প্রেমিক (কাব্যিক) - তরুণ প্রেমিকRussian: возлюбленный (поэтическое) - поклонник (старомодное)Japanese: 恋する若者（詩的） - 恋人（古風）Vietnamese: chàng trai si tình (thi ca) - người tình trẻ (cổ)Korean: 연인 (고전적/시적 표현) - 젊은 구혼자Turkish: âşık delikanlı (eski/şiirsel) - sevgili (eski kullanımlı)Urdu: محبوب (ادبی) - عاشق نوجوانIndonesian: pemuda jatuh cinta (puitis) - kekasih (kuno)
Example Sentences
In the poem, the shepherd's swain sings by the river.
basic
The old story tells of a beautiful lady and her swain.
basic
Many songs speak of a swain waiting for his beloved.
basic
He fancied himself a romantic swain, but she just laughed at his poems.
natural
In Shakespeare's time, every lady dreamed of a devoted swain.
natural
My grandmother jokingly called my grandpa her 'handsome swain' for sixty years.
natural