# swatch

> English word · Noun · IPA /swɒtʃ/ · frequency rank #36,771

## Definitions
1. A piece, pattern, or sample, generally of cloth or a similar material.
2. A selection of such samples bound together.
3. A clump or portion of something.
4. A demonstration, an example, a proof.
5. A tag or other small object attached to another item as a means of identifying its owner; a tally; specifically the counterfoil of a tally.

## Etymology
From earlier Northern England dialectal swache (“the counterfoil or counterstock of a tally”) (1512); further etymology unknown. Cognate with Scots swach, swatch. Compare English swath, swathe. Compare also Old English swæcc (“taste; flavour; odour; fragrance”).

## Easily confused with
- **swath** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/swatch-vs-swath)
- **switch** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/swatch-vs-switch)
- **swatches** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/swatch-vs-swatches)
- **SWAT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/swat-vs-swatch)
- **search** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/search-vs-swatch)
- **sketch** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sketch-vs-swatch)
- **scotch** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scotch-vs-swatch)
- **stitch** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stitch-vs-swatch)
- **snatch** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snatch-vs-swatch)
- **starch** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/starch-vs-swatch)
- **snitch** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snitch-vs-swatch)
- **scratch** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scratch-vs-swatch)
- **Saatchi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/saatchi-vs-swatch)

## Common misspellings (10)
`sawtch`, `sswatch`, `swacth`, `swatcch`, `swatchh`, `swathc`, `swattch`, `swtach`, `swwatch`, `wsatch`

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