swath
C1-C2 / Low-Frequency GeneralFormal, Literary, Journalistic, Technical (agriculture)
Definition
Meaning
A broad strip or area, either physically (like cut grass) or metaphorically (like influence).
Used figuratively to describe a wide, sweeping effect or impact across a domain.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary concrete meaning relates to agriculture (a strip of mown crop). The figurative use is more common in modern general English, implying something broad and impactful.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major semantic difference. Spelling variant 'swathe' (/sweɪð/) is more common in UK English for both literal and figurative uses. US English strongly prefers 'swath' for all uses.
Connotations
Identical in connotation. The UK 'swathe' can sometimes feel slightly more literary.
Frequency
The figurative use ('cut a swath through') is more frequent in US media and political commentary.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VERB] a swath through [OBJECT] (cut, carve)[ADJ] swath of [NOUN] (wide, broad, devastating)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cut a swath/swathe through something”
- “a swath of destruction”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The new policy cut a swath through outdated regulations.
Academic
The glacier retreated, leaving a wide swath of moraine.
Everyday
The storm left a swath of broken branches across the park.
Technical
The combine harvester cuts a 20-foot swath with each pass.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The farmer surveyed the neat swathe of cut barley.
- The scandal affected a broad swathe of the population.
American English
- The tornado cut a mile-wide swath of devastation.
- The candidate appealed to a wide swath of independent voters.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The gardener cut a long swath of grass.
- The new shopping centre destroyed a swath of green land.
- The disease cut a deadly swath through the village.
- The legislation carved a regulatory swath through the tech industry, affecting giants and startups alike.
- Her criticism swept a broad swath, implicating everyone from junior staff to senior management.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LAWN MOWER cutting a wide, clean SWATH of grass. Both words have the 'A' sound and relate to a broad strip.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPACT IS PHYSICAL CUTTING (e.g., 'cut a swath through the bureaucracy').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with 'сват' (matchmaker, in-law).
- Do not confuse with 'swatch' (sample).
- The figurative use is not directly translatable as 'полоса' without context.
Common Mistakes
- Spelling confusion: 'swath' vs. 'swathe'.
- Using 'swatch' (a sample) instead of 'swath'.
- Pronouncing 'swath' to rhyme with 'bath' in American English (it rhymes with 'Goth').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'swath' used MOST figuratively?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Swath' is the standard spelling in American English. 'Swathe' (/sweɪð/) is a common variant in British English for both the noun and the related verb meaning 'to wrap'. In modern use, especially figuratively, they are interchangeable in UK English, with 'swathe' being frequent.
No, 'swath' is a noun. The related verb is 'swathe' (/sweɪð/) meaning 'to wrap or bind'. The action of cutting a swath is described with verbs like 'cut', 'carve', or 'mow'.
It is a mid-to-low frequency word. Its concrete agricultural meaning is specialized. Its figurative use ('a broad swath of') is more common, particularly in formal writing, journalism, and analysis.
It rhymes with 'Goth' and 'moth': /swɑːθ/. It does not rhyme with 'bath' in American English.