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Added 10 October 2026

swoop

/ˈswuːp/ verb

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about swoop at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To fly or glide downwards suddenly; to plunge (in the air) or nosedive.
The lone eagle swooped down into the lake, snatching its prey, a small fish.
To move swiftly, as if with a sweeping movement, especially to attack something.
The dog had enthusiastically swooped down on the bone.
To fall on at once and seize; to catch while on the wing.

noun

An instance, or the act of suddenly plunging downward.
The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim. – Sun Tzu
A sudden act of seizing.
A quick passage from one note to the next.

Origin

Inherited from Middle English swopen (“to sweep”), from Old English swāpan. Doublet of swaip. See also sweep, which was probably the basis for analogical restoration of /w/ in this word.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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