noun
swift
A fast-flying bird with long, narrow wings.
A swift circles high above the rooftops.
Etymology
The bird-name comes from the adjective for rapid motion. It highlights the bird's notably fast flight.
More examples
- Swifts caught insects over the river.
- The swift's narrow wings cut through the air.
- We watched a flock of swifts at dusk.
Forms
swift · swifts
Similar words
- swallow
- A different kind of fast-flying bird with a similar silhouette.
- martin
- A swallow-like bird in a different family from swifts.