swathe

1 of 2

noun

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h 

variants or swath

ˈswät͟h  ˈswäth 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswȯth

1

: a band used in swathing

2

: an enveloping medium

swathe

2 of 2

verb

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h 

swathed; swathing

transitive verb

1

: to bind, wrap, or swaddle with or as if with a bandage

2

: envelop

a mountain swathed by clouds

Synonyms

Verb

• bosom
• bower
• circumfuse
• cocoon
• embosom
• embower
• embrace
• enclose
• inclose
• encompass
• enfold
• enshroud
• enswathe
• envelop
• enwrap
• invest
• involve
• lap
• mantle
• muffle
• shroud
• veil
• wrap

Examples of swathe in a Sentence

Verb

The nurse swathed the wounded soldier's leg in bandages.

Her neck was swathed in jewels.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The hallway and stairs are swathed in wallpaper by Michael Smith and painted with Farrow & Ball’s Pigeon. —Kristen Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 31 Mar. 2025

Also, shout out to Roan's left thumbnail, which is currently swathed in a Band-Aid. —Marci Robin, Allure, 6 Mar. 2025

The hacienda-style home is swathed in vines and surrounded by immaculate landscaping with native plants and blooming, vibrant flowers. —Emma Reynolds, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025

Gerstein’s bedroom is swathed in a soothing neutral palette. —Tori Sikkema, Curbed, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English *swæth; akin to Old English swathian to swathe

Verb

Middle English, from Old English swathian

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

swathe

1 of 2 verb

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

swathed; swathing

1

: to bind, wrap, or swaddle with or as if with a bandage

2

: envelop

swathe

2 of 2 noun

ˈswät͟h 

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswāt͟h

variants or swath

ˈswät͟h,

ˈswäth,

ˈswȯt͟h,

ˈswȯth

: a band used in swathing