swallow — to cause or allow (something, especially food or drink) to pass down the throat
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to cause or allow (something, especially food or drink) to pass down the throat
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈswɑːloʊ/
Example Sentences
- He had to swallow his words when his prediction turned out completely wrong.
- The magician claimed he could swallow a sword, but it turned out to be a very convincing hot dog.
- One swallow doesn't make a summer, but it sure makes me hopeful for warmer days.
swallow
VERB[/ˈswɑːloʊ/]
to cause or allow (something, especially food or drink) to pass down the throat

He swallows the bite quickly.

He swallows the pepper, and the heat follows.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old English 'swelgan' meaning to swallow or consume, related to Proto-Germanic '*swelgan-'. The word is cognate with Old Norse 'svelgr' and likely derives from an Indo-European root meaning to gulp or swallow.
Breakdown
swallow is a simple word with no productive morpheme breakdown in modern English; it comes directly from Old English 'swelgan' as a single morpheme with no separable prefix, root, or suffix.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“He had to swallow his words when his prediction turned out completely wrong.”
“The magician claimed he could swallow a sword, but it turned out to be a very convincing hot dog.”
“One swallow doesn't make a summer, but it sure makes me hopeful for warmer days.”
“She tried to swallow her laughter when her boss slipped on the banana peel.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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