What does sway mean Meaning and Definition
What does sway mean
Pronunciation
/sweɪ/
Part of Speech
Verb, Noun
Definition
As a verb, to move gently from side to side, often in a smooth, flowing motion. As a noun, a gentle movement from side to side, or a person’s influence or control over someone or something.
Examples
- The trees swayed gently in the breeze.
- Her opinion had a significant sway over the group’s decision.
Synonyms
- Move
- Influence
- Persuade
Antonyms
- Stiffen
- Resist
- Oppose
Additional Information
The word “sway” can be used in various contexts, including physical movement, emotional influence, and even musical rhythm. In a physical sense, swaying can be a gentle, soothing motion, such as the swaying of trees in the wind or the swaying of a person’s hips to music. In an emotional sense, sway can refer to the influence or control one person has over another, such as a leader’s sway over their followers or a persuasive argument’s sway over someone’s opinion.
In music, sway can refer to the rhythmic movement of a melody or the way a performer’s body moves in time with the music. For example, a singer might sway to the beat of a song, or a conductor might sway to the rhythm of an orchestra.
In everyday life, sway can be used to describe the way people are influenced by their surroundings or the people around them. For example, a person might be swayed by a persuasive argument or a charismatic leader. In this sense, sway can be a powerful tool for communication and persuasion.
Etymology
The word “sway” comes from the Old English word “swāgan,” which means “to swing” or “to move from side to side.” Over time, the word evolved to include various meanings, including physical movement, emotional influence, and musical rhythm.
Usage Notes
When using the word “sway,” it’s essential to consider the context in which it is being used. In a physical sense, sway can be used to describe gentle, flowing movements. In an emotional sense, sway can be used to describe influence or control over someone or something. In a musical sense, sway can be used to describe rhythmic movement or the way a performer’s body moves in time with the music.
Cultural References
The word “sway” has been used in various cultural references, including music, literature, and film. For example, the song “Sway” by Dean Martin is a classic example of the word’s use in music. In literature, the word “sway” has been used by authors such as Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters to describe the emotional influence of characters on each other.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Some common idiomatic expressions or phrases that include the word “sway” include “sway to the music,” “sway to someone’s opinion,” and “sway the crowd.” These phrases often use the word “sway” to describe the influence or control one person has over another.
Related Words or Phrases
Some related words or phrases to “sway” include “move,” “influence,” “persuade,” and “control.” These words often convey the idea of gentle, flowing movement or the influence one person has over another.
Collocations
Some common collocations with the word “sway” include “sway to the music,” “sway to someone’s opinion,” and “sway the crowd.” These collocations often use the word “sway” to describe the influence or control one person has over another.
Frequency of Use
The word “sway” is a relatively common word in modern language, often used in everyday conversation and writing. According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, the word “sway” is used approximately 1.5 times per million words.
Common Misspellings
Some common misspellings of the word “sway” include “swai,” “swaie,” and “swaigh.” These misspellings often occur due to the word’s unusual spelling or pronunciation.