noun / verb
swagger
SWAG-er/ˈswæɡər/
A showily confident or arrogant way of walking or behaving.
The man walks with an exaggerated swagger.
Etymology
Swagger probably combines swag, meaning “to sway,” with a repeated-action ending. The swaying movement becomes an insolent strut: walking in a way that displays bold, arrogant confidence.
In context
as if she were watching a beggar swagger into a bank and deposit hundreds of billions of dollars.
More examples
- Her opponent's swagger concealed his nervousness.
- The actor practiced the character's exaggerated swagger.
- They swaggered down the street after their victory.
Forms
swagger · swaggers · swaggered · swaggering
Similar words
- strut
- Strut emphasizes a proud walk; swagger can include a whole manner of arrogant confidence.
- confidence
- Confidence need not be showy; swagger displays it conspicuously.