Definition

1. Noun:
   • The quality of being stylishly luxurious or showy: "swankiness" refers to a state or characteristic of being impressively elegant, fashionable, or ostentatious, often in a way that suggests wealth or high status.
   • Pretentious display: It can also imply an excessive or showy display of sophistication or opulence, sometimes perceived as boastful or exaggerated.

Usage Examples

• (The luxurious and showy quality of the hotel was clear from its expensive decorations.)
• (Her tendency to display wealth ostentatiously irritated her companions.)
• (The event felt impressively luxurious and stylish.)

Advanced Usage

• "to affect swankiness": to deliberately adopt a showy or luxurious manner.

  • He affected swankiness by driving a sports car he couldn't afford. (He pretended to be stylishly wealthy in an exaggerated way.)

• "swankiness of the decor": the luxurious or ostentatious quality of interior design.

  • The swankiness of the decor made the restaurant feel exclusive. (The stylishly lavish furnishings created an upscale atmosphere.)

Variants and Related Words

• Swanky (adj): stylishly luxurious or showy.

  • They stayed at a swanky resort in the mountains. (A very elegant and expensive resort.)

• Swank (n): stylish elegance or showiness; also (v, informal): to show off or behave ostentatiously.

  • His swank was obvious in his expensive watch. (His showy elegance was apparent.)
  • She likes to swank about her new car. (She enjoys showing off her new car.)

• Swanker (n, informal): a person who behaves in a showy or ostentatious way.

  • The party was full of swankers in designer outfits. (People who flaunt their wealth.)

Synonyms

• Luxuriousness: the state of being very comfortable, elegant, and expensive.
• Ostentation: excessive display of wealth or grandeur.
• Flashiness: showy or gaudy appearance.
• Glamour: attractive or exciting quality that is associated with wealth and sophistication.

Phrasal Verbs

• • Swank about/around: to behave in a showy or boastful manner.

    • He swanked around the office in his new suit. (He walked around showing off his new suit.)

Related Idioms

• Put on the ritz: to behave or dress in a very luxurious or showy way (similar to swankiness).

  • They really put on the ritz for their anniversary party. (They made an extremely elegant and showy display.)

• All show and no substance: something that appears impressive or luxurious but lacks real quality (often used to criticize swankiness).

  • The restaurant had lots of swankiness, but the food was terrible. (The place looked luxurious but was poor in quality.)