swill
C2Informal, sometimes derogatory. The verb often has a rough, inelegant connotation; the noun can be neutral (agricultural) or pejorative (for drink).
Definition
Meaning
To drink (something) greedily or in large quantities; to wash or rinse by pouring large amounts of liquid over or through.
Wet food waste, typically a mixture of kitchen scraps and liquid, fed to pigs; any cheap or unpleasant drink; to move (a liquid) around in a container, or to swirl.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb has two primary senses: consumption and cleaning/flowing. The agricultural noun sense is quite specific. Often implies carelessness, excess, or lack of refinement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The agricultural noun sense ('pig swill') is understood in both, but perhaps more common in UK farming contexts. The verb sense for washing/cleaning is slightly more prevalent in UK usage (e.g., 'swill out the bucket').
Connotations
Identical: carries negative connotations of gluttony or messiness when referring to consumption.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, slightly more likely in UK English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
swill something (down/out)swill something out (with something)swill aroundVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “swill down the drain (to waste)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Rare, possibly in historical/agricultural contexts.
Everyday
Informal: 'He swilled his beer.' 'I'll just swill this mug out.'
Technical
In agriculture for animal feed.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He swilled the last of his pint and stood up.
- Could you swill out the feed buckets with the hose?
- The tea swilled around in the mug as the train rocked.
American English
- They swilled cheap beer at the tailgate party.
- Just swill the cooler out with some bleach water.
- Rainwater swilled through the gutters.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The farmer collects swill for his pigs.
- Don't just swill your water—drink it properly.
- After the party, we had to swill out all the sticky glasses.
- He complained that the beer tasted like swill.
- The scandal caused old rumours to swill around the financial markets once more.
- They would swill down vast quantities of the inexpensive local wine.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a pig SWILLing (swallowing with will) its SWILL (wet food) from a bucket you then SWILL (wash) out.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSUMPTION IS UNREFINED LIQUID MOVEMENT (e.g., ideas swilled around his mind).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'swing' (качаться).
- The noun 'swill' is not a general synonym for 'food' or 'waste'—it's specifically wet, often for animals.
- Avoid using for polite drinking; implies lack of manners.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'swill' as a neutral term for 'drink'.
- Confusing spelling: 'swill' vs. 'swill' (correct) vs. 'swill' (incorrect).
- Using the noun for solid waste.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the noun 'swill' most neutrally and correctly used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and often rude or derogatory when referring to how someone drinks or the quality of a drink.
Yes, especially in British English, 'to swill out' means to rinse or wash something by pouring water into and out of it quickly.
Both imply rapid drinking. 'Guzzle' emphasizes speed and greediness. 'Swill' adds a connotation of lacking refinement and is often used with cheaper drinks.
No, they are unrelated. 'Swill' is from Old English *swilian* (to wash), while 'swill' is from a different root.