# swap

> English word · Verb · IPA /sʋap/ · frequency rank #7,856

## Definitions
1. To exchange or give (something) in an non-normal exchange (for something else).
2. To hit, to strike.
3. To beat the air, or ply the wings, with a sweeping motion or noise; to flap.
4. To descend or fall; to rush hastily or violently.

## Etymology
From Middle English swappen (“to swap”), originally meaning "to hurl" or "to strike", the word alludes to striking hands together when making an exchange; probably from Old English *swappian, a secondary form of Old English swāpan (“to swoop”). Cognate with German schwappen (“to slosh, slop”). Compare also Middle English swippen (“to strike, hit”), from Old English swipian (“to scourge, strike, beat, lash”), Old Norse svipa (“to swoop, flash, whip, look after, look around”). More at swipe.

## Easily confused with
- **swim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/swap-vs-swim)
- **sway** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/swap-vs-sway)
- **SWAT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/swap-vs-swat)
- **swot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/swap-vs-swot)
- **swig** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/swap-vs-swig)
- **swear** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/swap-vs-swear)
- **sweat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/swap-vs-sweat)
- **sweep** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/swap-vs-sweep)
- **swept** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/swap-vs-swept)
- **swipe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/swap-vs-swipe)
- **swarm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/swap-vs-swarm)
- **swoop** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/swap-vs-swoop)
- **swath** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/swap-vs-swath)
- **SA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sa-vs-swap)
- **SP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sp-vs-swap)
- **SW** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sw-vs-swap)
- **say** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/say-vs-swap)
- **saw** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/saw-vs-swap)
- **sea** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sea-vs-swap)
- **san** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/san-vs-swap)

## Common misspellings (6)
`sawp`, `sswap`, `swapp`, `swpa`, `swwap`, `wsap`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/swap