swish

 
Pronunciation: /swɪʃ/

verb

  • 1 [no object, with adverbial of direction] move with a hissing or rushing sound: a car swished by
  • [with object] cause to move with a hissing or rushing sound: a girl came in, swishing her long skirts
  • aim a swinging blow at something: he swished at a bramble with a piece of stick
  • 2 [with object] Basketball sink (a shot) without the ball touching the backboard or rim.

noun

  • 1a hissing or rustling sound: he could hear the swish of a distant car
  • a rapid swinging movement: the cow gave a swish of its tail
  • 2 Basketball, informal a shot that goes through the basket without touching the backboard or rim.
  • 3North American informal, derogatory an effeminate male homosexual.

adjective

British informal
  • impressively smart and fashionable: dinner at a swish hotel

Origin:

mid 18th century: imitative