Meaning & use
swarthy
Last updated
UK/ˈswɔːði/
US/ˈswɔrði/
Meaning
adjectivecomparableold-fashionedliterary
Having a dark skin tone or complexion.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: a swarthy man; he was swarthy.
The novel describes a swarthy sailor with a scar.
His swarthy face was weathered by years at sea.
In the old story, a swarthy stranger entered the inn.
Word forms
| comparative | swarthier |
|---|---|
| superlative | swarthiest |
Common combinations
- swarthy complexion
- He had a swarthy complexion from years outdoors.
- swarthy skin
- The painter captured his swarthy skin.
- swarthy stranger
- A swarthy stranger appeared at the door.
- swarthy features
- The character has swarthy features.
Synonyms and how they differ
- dark
- Plain, neutral and everyday, while swarthy is dated and mainly found in fiction.
- tanned
- Means darkened by sun, which can be temporary, unlike swarthy.
- dusky
- More poetic, suggesting a soft dark shade.
Opposites
Word family
- swarthiness noun
- the quality of being swarthy
Commonly confused: swarthy or swath?
swarthy vs swath
A swath is a broad strip or area (a swath of land); it sounds somewhat like swarthy but is unrelated.
Practice
Which context is swarthy most likely to appear in today?
Choose one answer.
Swarthy is dated and literary, so it is mostly found in older fiction. In everyday modern use, neutral wording is preferred.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “swarthy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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