swank

Definition

Fashionably elegant, posh.

Etymology

From dialectal swank (“to strut, behave ostentatiously”), perhaps from an unrecorded Old English root, derived from Proto-Germanic *swankijaną (“to cause to sway, swing”) or from Proto-Germanic *swankaz (“lithe, bendsome, slender”), related to the Scots swank and the Middle High German swanken, modern German schwanken (“to sway”).

Example Sentences

• "The fish house or shack is built without windows, covered with tar paper to keep out the light and wind, and set on the ice over about ten feet of water in a spot off shore where fish have been known to habitate habitually. […] A couple of boxes to sit on and a plank or mat for your feet and a small airtight stove, if you want swank comfort."
• ""You live in that swank apartment round the corner." "Yes." "Hey you must be rich.""
• "You know it's swank when … It's very shiny / It's very tan / It's got Royale in its name"