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Meaning & use

sword

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/sɔːd/
US/sɔːrd/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A weapon with a long metal blade and a handle, used for cutting or thrusting.

    Grammar: Countable: a sword, two swords. It can be used literally or figuratively.

    Patterns

    • draw a sword
    • carry a sword
    • a sword fight

    The knight drew his sword and charged into battle.

    She keeps a ceremonial sword above the fireplace.

    In the museum, there was a display of ancient swords from different cultures.

  2. nouncountablefigurative

    Something that can be used both as a weapon and as a tool, or that has both positive and negative aspects.

    Grammar: Often used in the phrase 'a double-edged sword' to mean something with both benefits and drawbacks.

    Patterns

    • a double-edged sword
    • be a sword of Damocles

    Social media is a double-edged sword: it connects people but also spreads misinformation.

    The new law proved to be a sword of Damocles hanging over small businesses.

Word forms

pluralswords

Common combinations

draw a sword
He drew his sword from its scabbard.
cross swords with someone
I don't want to cross swords with the manager over this issue.
a sword of Damocles
The threat of layoffs hung over them like a sword of Damocles.
sword fight
The children staged a mock sword fight with wooden sticks.
put someone to the sword
The invaders put the villagers to the sword.

Synonyms and how they differ

blade
Blade often refers just to the cutting part of a sword or knife, while sword means the whole weapon.
rapier
A rapier is a thin, sharp-pointed sword used mainly for thrusting, not a general word for any sword.
saber
A saber is a heavy sword with a curved blade, used especially by cavalry; it is a type of sword.

Word family

swordsman noun
A person who is skilled at fighting with a sword.
swordplay noun
The activity or skill of fighting with swords.
swordfish noun
A large sea fish with a long, sword-like upper jaw.

Commonly confused: sword or sward? sword or soared?

sword vs sward

Sward means an area of grass, especially a lawn; it sounds like sword but has a completely different meaning.

sword vs soared

Soared is the past tense of soar (to fly high); it sounds similar to sword in some accents but is a verb.

Practice

Choose the correct word: The threat of bankruptcy hung over the company like a ______ of Damocles.

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