adjective General Slang

Swell

/swɛl/ · adjective · slang

Excellent, first-rate, or wonderful, a go-to word of approval in the jazz age.

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Definitions

1

Stylish, elegant, or upper-class (as a noun, a fashionable person).

“All the swells turned out for the gala.”
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2

Excellent, fine, or delightful.

“We had a swell time at the dance.”
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3

Used as an enthusiastic agreement or exclamation of approval.

“Dinner at eight? Swell!”
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Swell In A Sentence

That's a swell idea, let's do it.
She looked positively swell in her new coat.
The whole gang had a swell evening at the speakeasy.

Origin & Usage

Though 'swell' predates the 1920s, it became a defining all-purpose word of approval in jazz-age America. Its older noun sense, a fashionable high-society person, fed the 1920s adjective meaning 'fine' or 'classy.'

Tags #1920s#flapper#jazz-age#prohibition#vintage#compliment

People Also Ask

What does 'swell' mean in slang?

It means excellent, fine, or wonderful. It was a hugely common word of approval in 1920s America.

Where did 'swell' come from?

The slang sense grew from an older noun, a 'swell' meaning a fashionable high-society person. By the 1920s it meant 'great' or 'classy.'

Is 'swell' still used today?

Yes, though it now sounds dated or sweetly old-fashioned, which is part of its charm.

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