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DictionaryswooshRushing sound
verb / noun

swoosh

SWOOSH/swuːʃ/

A rushing sound made by swift, sweeping movement.

The skier passes with a swoosh of flying powder.

A skier swooshes past in a fast downhill turn, with skis cutting through powder and throwing a long, airy plume of snow behind him.
Etymology

Swoosh imitates the sound of rapid movement through air, originally that of a fishing rod during a cast. The verb turns that sound into an action: moving with a rushing noise.

More examples

  • The curtain swooshed across the stage.
  • We heard the swoosh of a car on the wet road.
  • The blade swooshed through the air.

Forms

swoosh · swooshes · swooshed · swooshing

Similar words

whoosh
Both imitate a rushing sound; swoosh often suggests a smooth sweeping movement.
swish
Swish is generally a lighter brushing sound; swoosh suggests a stronger rush.