swine
C1Formal (literal), Highly Informal/Vulgar (figurative)
Definition
Meaning
A pig, especially a domesticated one raised for food.
A contemptible or unpleasant person; used as a strong term of abuse.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is singular and plural (like 'sheep'). The literal sense is formal/technical, often found in agriculture or veterinary contexts. The figurative sense is a strong insult, implying greed, dirtiness, or unpleasantness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the word similarly. The literal sense is slightly more common in UK agricultural contexts. The figurative insult is strong and offensive in both.
Connotations
Strongly negative in figurative use. The literal use is neutral but formal/technical.
Frequency
Low frequency overall. The literal sense is rare in everyday conversation. The figurative insult is used but is considered very strong.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
You {swine}!That {swine} stole my wallet.A herd of {swine}.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pearls before swine”
- “Cast one's pearls before swine”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used, except in specific agribusiness.
Academic
Rare, except in historical/agricultural texts or translations (e.g., Biblical 'herd of swine').
Everyday
The literal sense is rare. The figurative sense is a strong, deliberate insult.
Technical
Used in veterinary science, agriculture, and epidemiology (e.g., 'swine fever', 'swine vesicular disease').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Obsolete/archaic) Not in modern use.
American English
- (Obsolete/archaic) Not in modern use.
adverb
British English
- None.
American English
- None.
adjective
British English
- Swine fever is a notifiable disease.
- The swine industry has modernised.
American English
- Swine flu was a major health concern.
- Swine production is a key sector.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- A farmer keeps swine.
- Pigs and swine are the same animal.
- The vet checked the herd of swine for disease.
- He called the thief a filthy swine.
- The new regulations aim to improve swine welfare on farms.
- Don't waste your advice on him; it's like casting pearls before swine.
- The epidemiology of swine influenza is complex and requires careful monitoring.
- His behaviour at the negotiation table revealed him to be nothing more than a conniving swine.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SWINE' as a 'SWINgling' or disgusting person who 'WINes' and dines greedily like a pig.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMMORAL PEOPLE ARE ANIMALS / DISGUSTING PEOPLE ARE PIGS
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'свинья' (pig) which is common and neutral. The English 'swine' as an insult is much stronger and less casual than 'свинья'.
- The idiom 'pearls before swine' translates directly as 'метать бисер перед свиньями'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'swines' as a plural (incorrect; 'swine' is already plural).
- Using the figurative sense in polite or formal contexts.
- Overusing the word due to its strong impact.
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct plural form of 'swine'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both singular and plural, like 'sheep'. One swine, a herd of swine.
Very offensive. It is a strong personal insult, implying they are like a filthy, greedy pig. Use with extreme caution.
'Pig' is the common, general term. 'Hog' often refers to a larger pig, especially for slaughter. 'Swine' is the formal/technical term for the animal species and is the basis for compound terms (swine flu).
It originates from the Bible (Matthew 7:6), meaning to offer something valuable or beautiful to someone who cannot appreciate it.