swoon

USAGE SUMMARY

'swoon' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is typically used to describe a state of deep emotion, most often in a romantic or intense context. For example, "Betty swooned when she saw her lover across the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Michael Johns captured America with a cheeky smile, a voice swimming in soul and an Australian accent that made women swoon.

The Guardian

He's youthful, green-ish, a "Boris" chum and would make the Evening Standard swoon.

The Guardian

But we visited the glamorous cave village of Oia every day, just to swoon, and sigh, and make each other giggle, and take photos, and swoon again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This contributed to a deep economic swoon, but it also helped borrowers escape crushing debts.

The Economist

ABAYA-clad women swoon over his photo on their smartphones; journalists garland every mention of him with fawning adjectives; diplomats scramble to relay titbits about him to their capitals.

The Economist

After a couple of indecisive circuits, the smell of grilling meats is making me swoon (why does nobody make a ladies' perfume that smells like barbecue?).

The Economist

They think that they hear Mr Cruz and Co promising that for today's well-insured insiders nothing need change.It is a similar story with other supply-side staples that make Republicans swoon, from tax-cutting and welfare-slashing to deregulation.

The Economist

I cannot get out here often enough.My father's family comes from Russia, and though I am as assimilated as any other third-generation American, enough of the old country seeped into my upbringing to make me swoon with nostalgia at the first whiff of kasha.

The Economist

Sorting out all these interests will be a nightmare.Foreign investors looking at China often swoon at the country's vast potential but are driven mad by its conflicting and heavy-handed policies.

The Economist

The Fed probably won't make any changes to current purchases until it is clear that another summer swoon is not on its way, perhaps driven by the impact of fiscal tightening.

The Economist

The data centre, which contains 310m Social Security numbers, 145m tax returns and other records used to determine how much subsidy each applicant should get, has already had a swoon.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "swoon" to depict a strong emotional reaction, particularly in romantic or dramatic contexts. Ensure the subject of the verb is capable of experiencing intense emotions.

Common error

Don't overuse "swoon" in casual or mundane situations. It's a powerful verb that implies a significant emotional impact, so reserve it for moments of genuine intensity to maintain its effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "swoon" is as a verb, denoting the action of losing consciousness or being overcome by emotion. Ludwig examples show it used to describe reactions to celebrities, romantic gestures, or overwhelming news, consistent with Ludwig AI’s definition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "swoon" is a versatile verb used to describe either losing consciousness or being overwhelmingly affected by emotion, particularly joy or infatuation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English, with Ludwig's examples demonstrating its frequent appearance in News & Media. While grammatically correct and widely understood, it carries a dramatic flair, making it best suited for situations where strong emotional impact is being conveyed. Related terms include "faint" and "lose consciousness", but "swoon" often suggests a romantic or theatrical context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose consciousness

A medical term that indicates a temporary loss of awareness.

faint

A more general term for losing consciousness, often sudden and brief.

pass out

An informal way to say someone has lost consciousness.

be overwhelmed

Highlights the intensity of emotion causing a temporary breakdown.

be overcome

Indicates being overwhelmed by a feeling or force.

succumb

Implies giving in to an overpowering force or feeling.

be captivated

Emphasizes being charmed or strongly attracted, but doesn't imply loss of consciousness.

fall under a spell

Suggests a magical or enchanting influence.

melt

An expression of being deeply affected or moved emotionally.

go weak at the knees

Indicates a physical reaction to strong attraction or emotion.

FAQs

How to use "swoon" in a sentence?

"Swoon" is a verb that typically describes fainting or being overwhelmed by emotion. For example, "The crowd began to "swoon" at the sight of the celebrity" or "She threatened to "faint" when she heard the news".

What does it mean when someone says they "swoon"?

When someone says they "swoon", it generally means they are expressing being overwhelmed with emotion, often in a romantic or appreciative way. It can also mean they literally "faint".

What can I say instead of "swoon"?

You can use alternatives like ""faint"", "lose consciousness", or "be overwhelmed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "swoon" in formal writing?

While "swoon" isn't inherently informal, its dramatic connotation might make it less suitable for highly formal or technical writing. In more neutral contexts, you might opt for more neutral terms like "lose consciousness" or "be overwhelmed".